Brian Devine, the amateur cricketer nicknamed “Clicky Ponting” after footage of him at slip was viewed more than 7.5 million times, has been banned from cricket for two years. The 38-year-old is suspended from playing, coaching, umpiring, scoring and managing junior teams at all levels under the England and Wales Cricket Board’s jurisdiction, from 30 September 2026 to 29 September 2028.
His club have been punished too. Saltburn Cricket Club were fined £300, and their second XI, who were top of Division Two of the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League when the story broke, have been relegated to Division Three and will start 2027 with a 60-point deduction. Middlesbrough’s second XI will play in Division Two next season.
Devine and Saltburn admitted the misconduct charges but appealed against the sanction. A separate panel heard that appeal on 26 October, and it has now concluded. Reports of the outcome do not say whether the appeal changed the original penalties.
From a second-team match to a global story
The case began with a second-team league match between Saltburn and Norton on 25 July. A Norton batter was given out to his first ball, from Sam Morrison, caught by wicketkeeper Josh Bowes. The video appeared to show Devine, standing at slip, clicking his fingers as the ball passed the bat, imitating the sound of an edge. The umpire gave the batter out.
The clip spread within days, and the punning nickname, a nod to former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, spread with it. The story made headlines in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, India and the United States. The league opened an investigation and took guidance from the ECB, while Saltburn suspended Devine and conceded a second-team cup match against Marton.
Further allegations followed, none of which has been reported as part of the league’s findings:
- Middlesbrough second XI captain Rory Cotterill claimed there were two more incidents in his side’s 29-run defeat by Saltburn.
- Separate footage allegedly showed Devine clicking his fingers while playing for Pudsey St Lawrence in the Bradford Premier League.
- Pudsey said no concerns had been raised with the club by opponents or umpires, while the Bradford League said “it is not our policy to undertake retrospective investigations”.
When contacted by the Daily Mail, Devine said: “Naturally, I cannot comment on that. I also cannot answer any questions because I am currently at work.”
Why the sanction carries weight
The length of the ban stands out against cricket’s best-known cheating cases, even though those were decided under different rules and at a different level. Steve Smith and David Warner were each banned for 12 months by Cricket Australia over the 2018 ball-tampering affair in Cape Town, and Cameron Bancroft for nine. Devine, an amateur in a second-team league match, has been given double the term handed to the two most senior Australians.
The reasoning behind a heavy penalty is easy to follow. Club cricket usually has no third umpire, no Snicko and no neutral replay. Matches rely on trust between the two sides, and a sound designed to deceive the umpire attacks that directly. Tom Banton, the former England and Somerset player, reflected the unease when asked about the case: “It’s interesting, kind of clever in a way. But I cannot vouch for things like that, it’s not acceptable.”
The scope of the ban also matters. By extending to coaching, umpiring, scoring and managing junior teams, it removes Devine from every role in the recreational game, not only from the field. He will be at least 40 when it expires.
What comes next for Saltburn
Saltburn’s second XI were 17 points clear at the top of Division Two after a 159-run win over Norton, with 10 victories from 15 matches. They now face a season in the division below, carrying a deficit before a ball is bowled.
Saltburn, a club run by volunteers, had described the experience as distressing and asked for “personal boundaries” to be respected. Its response to the verdict was brief: “The club fully participated in the disciplinary proceedings and accept the decision of the appeal following the original decision from the league. We are now focusing on preparations for the 2027 season.”
The league closed the matter in similar terms, and acknowledged the personal cost of a case played out in public: “The league recognises the strain this has placed on many people, especially those who were abused online and in person. We ask everyone to respect that the formal process is now complete. The league will make no further comment.”
That leaves the Pudsey footage and the Middlesbrough claims without a public ruling. With the Bradford League unwilling to look back and the North Yorkshire and South Durham league finished commenting, it appears unlikely that either will get one.
Sports journalist and editor at SportsPortal.net. Covers cricket, football, Formula 1, tennis, and basketball with a focus on how global sports connect with Pakistani audiences. Follows the PSL, Pakistan national cricket team, Premier League, and major international tournaments. Has reported on sports for digital audiences since 2021.
1135 articles published
