An English amateur cricketer who became a viral sensation for using finger-clicking trickery has received a two-year suspension, according to the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League.
Disciplinary Ruling and Penalties
Fielder Brian Devine, nicknamed “Clicky Ponting” online in a reference to former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, faced accusations of deceiving umpires by clicking his fingers to imitate the sound of a ball clipping the bat while batters missed deliveries and wicketkeepers took catches. The video footage circulated widely on social media and drew international attention earlier in the year.
A disciplinary panel consisting of three members examined the video recordings, evaluated player interviews, and reviewed written statements prior to issuing the suspension. The NYSDL announced in a Friday statement that the player faces a two-year ban from all cricket activities governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board, running from September 30, 2026, to September 29, 2028. The restriction encompasses playing, coaching, umpiring, scoring, and managing junior squads.
Furthermore, the league penalised Saltburn Cricket Club with a 300-pound ($402.87) fine. The club’s second XI faces relegation to Division Three of the NYSDCL and will commence the 2027 season facing a 60-point penalty.
Club Response and League Statement
Both Devine and Saltburn acknowledged the validity of the charges, although the club mounted an appeal against their specific penalty. Saltburn stated in comments reported by gazettelive.co.uk that the organisation fully engaged in the disciplinary process and accepts the appeal outcome following the league’s initial ruling.
The league conveyed to the Press Association that it acknowledges the pressure the situation created for numerous individuals, particularly those subjected to online and physical abuse. The league urged all parties to respect the conclusion of the formal process and confirmed it will issue no further statements.
Ricky Ponting previously told Reuters that he found the situation entertaining, though he expressed less enthusiasm about his name being linked to the incident. In an interview earlier this year, he noted that he had a brief laugh and moved on, adding that while having his name attached to overt cheating was undesirable, he ultimately treated the matter with humor.
