‘Clicky Ponting’ handed two-year suspension over cricket cheating scandal

Monday, 9 November 2026 03:09 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The player has now been suspended from playing, coaching, umpiring, scoring and managing junior teams at all levels until September 29, 2028

Amateur Britain cricketer caught clicking his fingers while fielding to trick umpire into thinking the batsman had edged the ball

The English amateur cricketer who went viral for finger-clicking trickery has been handed a two-year suspension, the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League has said.

The fielder Brian Devine, dubbed “Clicky Ponting” on social media in a nod to former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, was accused of tricking umpires by clicking his fingers to make the sound of a ball nicking the bat as deliveries were missed and caught by the wicketkeeper.

The video footage went viral on social media and made international headlines earlier this year. A three-person disciplinary panel reviewed the ‌footage and considered player interviews and written statements before imposing the ban.

“The player concerned is suspended from all cricket under the ECB’s (the England and Wales Cricket Board) jurisdiction for two years, from 30 September 2026 to 29 September 2028. This covers playing, coaching, umpiring, scoring and managing junior teams,” the NYSDL said in a statement on Friday.

Additionally, Saltburn Cricket Club have been fined 300 pounds ($ 402.87) and their second XI has been relegated to Division Three of the NYSDCL and will start the 2027 season with a 60-point deduction, the league added.

Devine and Saltburn admitted the charges, but the club appealed against their sanction. Saltburn said in a statement reported on gazettelive.co.uk: “The club fully participated in the disciplinary proceedings and accept the decision of the appeal following the original decision from the league.”