Brian Devine has been handed a two-year ban by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for his central role in the viral “Clicky Ponting” cheating scandal. The amateur cricketer, who was fielding at slip for Saltburn’s second XI, was captured on video clicking his fingers to mimic the sound of a ball taking the edge of the bat during a North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League (NYSD) Division Two match against Norton in July. The incident, which drew global attention for its blatant attempt to deceive umpires, resulted in an immediate and severe disciplinary response from cricket’s governing body.
Brian Devine faces two-year ban after finger-clicking incident shocks amateur cricket
The sanction extends beyond Devine’s personal career, with the ECB banning him from all cricket under its jurisdiction until 29 September 2028. Devine, who previously played for Pudsey St Lawrence in the Bradford Cricket League, will be unable to participate in any official matches for the next two years. This punitive measure underscores the ECB’s zero-tolerance policy toward integrity breaches, even at the grassroots level, signaling that cheating tactics will face swift and decisive consequences regardless of the competition tier.
Saltburn Cricket Club has also suffered significant institutional penalties for the incident. The club’s second XI has been relegated from Division Two and will begin the 2027 season in Division Three with a substantial 60-point deduction. Additionally, the club has been fined £300. This combination of individual and team sanctions serves as a stark warning to amateur cricket, reinforcing that maintaining the integrity of the game is a collective responsibility that carries tangible repercussions for both players and clubs.
Source: BBC
