Brian Devine Banned for Two Years Over Clicky Ponting Cheating Scandal
An amateur cricketer has received a two-year ban from all cricket under the jurisdiction of the England and Wales Cricket Board following a viral cheating incident during a July match. Brian Devine, who was fielding at slip for Saltburn’s second XI, clicked his fingers to mimic the sound of the ball brushing the batsman’s edge during a North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League Division Two fixture against Norton, bbc.com reported.
The deceptive noise prompted an appeal from the fielding side, leading the umpire to give Norton batsman Noman Shabir out caught behind by wicketkeeper Josh Bowes. Video footage of the dismissal quickly circulated on social media platforms, drawing international media attention to the lower-tier league match.
England and Wales Cricket Board Penalties and Club Sanctions
The disciplinary ruling sidelines Devine from playing, coaching, umpiring, scoring, or managing junior teams until 29 September 2028. Saltburn’s second XI faced severe administrative penalties alongside the player suspension, absorbing a relegation demotion from Division Two to Division Three for the start of the 2027 season alongside a 60-point deduction and a £300 fine.
League investigators determined that other members of the Saltburn team were involved in the on-field deception even though Devine remained the sole player formally sanctioned. Both the player and the club admitted the charges during the proceedings, with Devine accepting his punishment while Saltburn pursued an unsuccessful appeal against their team penalties.
Investigation Process and Wider League Impact
The North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League launched an inquiry in late July after receiving multiple complaints regarding the conduct of Saltburn’s second XI across several matches. The investigation spanned several weeks, utilizing player interviews, written statements, and frame-by-frame video reviews.
The team punishments triggered cascading changes in the league standings, granting a reprieve to Middlesbrough’s second XI after they finished 11th in the 12-team division. Saltburn’s first XI had already suffered relegation from the NYSD Premier League following their own 11th-place finish.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Saltburn Cricket Sanctions
What exact penalty did Brian Devine receive?
Devine was banned from all cricket under the jurisdiction of the England and Wales Cricket Board until 29 September 2028, restricting him from playing, coaching, umpiring, scoring, or managing junior teams.
How did the deception occur on the field?
While fielding at slip during a match against Norton in July, Devine clicked his fingers to imitate the sound of the ball taking the edge of the bat, prompting a successful caught-behind appeal.
What happened to Saltburn CC’s second team?
The club was fined £300, docked 60 points, and relegated from Division Two to Division Three ahead of the 2027 season.