Amateur cricketer Brian Devine has been suspended from all cricket-related activities for two years following his involvement in the ‘Clicky Ponting’ cheating scandal, which attracted international attention after footage of the incident circulated online.
Devine, who played for Saltburn Cricket Club’s second XI, will remain banned until September 29, 2028, following a disciplinary investigation by the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League (NYSD).
The incident occurred during a Division Two fixture against Norton in July, when Devine was positioned at slip.
He was filmed clicking his fingers to imitate the sound of a cricket ball making contact with the edge of a batter’s bat.
Viral Footage Shows How the Incident Unfolded
Video footage from the match showed Devine making the clicking sound as the ball passed the bat of Noman Shabir before being caught by wicketkeeper Josh Bowes.
Saltburn’s players subsequently appealed, and the umpire ruled Shabir out.
The footage quickly spread across social media platforms, generating widespread attention and coverage from media organisations around the world.
League Imposes Additional Punishments on Saltburn
Alongside Devine’s suspension, Saltburn’s second XI have been relegated from Division Two and will begin the 2027 campaign in Division Three with a 60-point deduction.
The club has also been fined £300.
The NYSD confirmed that it had received complaints concerning the conduct of Devine and Saltburn in several matches.
Both the player and the club admitted the charges brought against them.
While Devine accepted his punishment, Saltburn appealed against the sanctions imposed on the club.
Investigation Identifies Concerns About Other Players
In a statement, the league explained that it began investigating the allegations in late July, working with Saltburn Cricket Club throughout the process.
The investigation lasted several weeks and involved interviews with players, written statements and an extensive examination of video footage.
Although Devine was the only individual player sanctioned, the league said it believed other members of Saltburn’s team had also been involved in the conduct under investigation.
Under the terms of his suspension, Devine is prohibited from playing, coaching, umpiring or scoring cricket matches.
He is also barred from managing junior teams throughout the two-year period.
Middlesbrough Receive Reprieve Following Relegation
Saltburn’s second XI dropping out of Division Two has also affected the final league standings, giving Middlesbrough’s second XI a reprieve.
Middlesbrough had finished 11th in the 12-team competition but will benefit from Saltburn’s relegation.
The disciplinary action comes after another difficult season for Saltburn, whose first XI had already been relegated from the NYSD Premier League following an 11th-place finish.
League Appeals for End to Online Abuse
The NYSD acknowledged the attention surrounding the scandal and the difficulties experienced by people connected to the incident.
It also addressed reports of abuse directed at individuals both online and in person.
“The League recognises the strain this has placed on many people, especially those who were abused online and in person,” the statement said.
The league added that the formal disciplinary process had concluded and appealed for the public to respect its outcome.
