Brian Devine and Saltburn CC Handed Harsh Penalties in Global Cheating Fallout
A staggering seven and a half million digital views and worldwide headlines later, the amateur cricket cheating scandal known as the “Clicky Ponting” affair has reached its formal disciplinary conclusion. Brian Devine, the village league fielder who stood at first slip for Saltburn Cricket Club’s second XI, has been banned from all cricket under the jurisdiction of the England and Wales Cricket Board until September 29, 2028. The punishment, as reported by bbc.com, follows a meticulous investigation into a July match against Norton where video footage captured Devine clicking his fingers to mimic the sound of bat hitting ball, successfully conning the umpire into giving batter Noman Shabir out caught behind.
While Devine accepted his two-year suspension—which bars him from playing, coaching, umpiring, scoring, and managing junior teams—his club chose a different legal path. Saltburn Cricket Club appealed their original sanctions, though the separate panel hearing concluded on October 26 resulted in the club’s second XI being formally relegated from Division Two to Division Three. According to Sky Sports coverage, Saltburn will also start the 2027 campaign saddled with a 60-point deduction and a £300 fine. The ruling provides an immediate reprieve for Middlesbrough’s second XI, who finished 11th in the 12-team division and are now reinstated.
League Probes Multiple Saltburn Matches After Receiving Complaints
The disciplinary process extended far beyond a single viral clip. The North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League (NYSD) received multiple complaints regarding the conduct of Devine and Saltburn across several matches. Investigators spent weeks conducting player interviews, gathering written statements, and reviewing extensive video footage. Although Devine was the sole player officially sanctioned by name, the league’s statement indicated a firm belief that additional members of the Saltburn team were involved in the on-field deception.
The fallout has hit the club on multiple fronts. Saltburn’s first XI had already suffered relegation from the NYSD Premier League after finishing 11th in their table, compounding a dismal structural season for the institution. At the time the scandal broke in July, Saltburn’s second XI had been enjoying a dominant run on the pitch, winning 10 of their 15 matches and sitting atop the Division Two standings—including a notable victory against Shildon Railway Cricket Club where their wicketkeeper claimed eight catches. That competitive momentum has now been entirely undone by disciplinary action.
Reactions and the Closing of the Formal Process
The incident sparked sharp commentary from elite professionals outside the amateur ranks. Former England and Somerset player Tom Banton weighed in on the controversy, describing the maneuver as kind of clever in a way,
before adding, But I cannot vouch for things like that, it’s not acceptable. It’s been caught out and something is going to be done about it because I’m not sure it’s in the rules of cricket.
As the legal and disciplinary machinery ground to a halt, the human toll of the global social media storm came into focus. In its concluding statement, the NYSD explicitly addressed the fallout beyond the boundary ropes. The League recognises the strain this has placed on many people, especially those who were abused online and in person,
the league noted. Both Devine and Saltburn admitted the charges following the exhaustive probe, with the club confirming through an official statement that they fully participated in the proceedings and are now focusing their administrative energy on preparations for the 2027 season.
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Two-year ban for 'Clicky Ponting' cricketer https://t.co/My23wJolMI
