In a striking case of on‑field deception, Brian Devine – a North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League (NYSDL) player who earned the nickname “Clicky Ponting” on social media – has been handed a two‑year suspension by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). The ban, effective from 30 September 2026 to 29 September 2028, bars Devine from all cricket activities under ECB jurisdiction, including playing, coaching, umpiring, scoring and managing junior teams.
The disciplinary action followed a viral video that showed Devine clicking his fingers to mimic the sound of a ball striking the bat, a trick used to mislead umpires when deliveries were missed and subsequently caught by the wicketkeeper. A three‑person panel reviewed the footage, player interviews and written statements before issuing the sanction.
Alongside the individual ban, Saltburn Cricket Club faced financial and competitive penalties. The club was fined £300 ($402.87) and its second XI was relegated to Division Three of the NYSDL, starting the 2027 season with a 60‑point deduction. Saltburn admitted the charges and accepted the league’s decision, though it appealed the sanction.
League officials acknowledged the emotional toll of the incident, noting the impact on players who were abused online and in person. They urged the public to respect the completed formal process and stated that no further comments would be made.
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, whose name was used in the player’s nickname, remarked that he found the controversy amusing but was not pleased to be associated with cheating. “I had a bit of a chuckle to myself and pretty much forgot about it after that,” he said, adding that he had “a laugh and a joke about it.”
Source: Al Jazeera
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