Brian Devine banned after finger‑clicking controversy; Saltburn relegated
Brian Devine, a 38-year-old Saltburn Cricket Club player nicknamed "Clicky Ponting", has been banned from cricket for two years following a finger‑clicking incident during a North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League Division Two match between Saltburn's second XI and Norton in July, with sanctions announced on Friday, November 6.
Footage from the match appeared to show Devine, fielding at slip, clicking his fingers as the ball passed the bat of Norton batter Noman Shabir; the wicketkeeper, Josh Bowes, collected the ball and fielders appealed, and the umpire gave Shabir out caught behind despite the batter appearing to dispute the decision. The video circulated widely online and additional clips of similar incidents subsequently emerged, prompting the league to open an investigation and Saltburn to provisionally suspend Devine for the remainder of the 2026 season while inquiries took place.
A three-person disciplinary panel reviewed player interviews, written statements and video evidence as part of the investigation; following that review, Devine and Saltburn accepted misconduct charges. The panel's sanctions were announced on November 6 after the club lodged an appeal against its original punishment.
Devine has been banned from all cricket under the England and Wales Cricket Board's jurisdiction until September 29, 2028, with the suspension covering playing, coaching, umpiring, scoring and managing junior teams.
Saltburn's second XI have been relegated from Division Two to Division Three and will begin the 2027 season with a 60-point deduction; the club has also been fined £300.
The ruling means Middlesbrough CC's second XI, who had previously been set for relegation, will retain their place in Division Two. In a statement, Saltburn said: "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 acknowledged the strain the controversy placed on those involved, particularly people who faced abuse online and in person, urged the public to respect the conclusion of the disciplinary process and said it would make no further comment. Social media reaction included posts such as: "@Saltburncc First slip clicks his fingers to imitate an edge, bat nowhere near it and given out. This is about the worst case of cheating I’ve ever seen in cricket. Apparently, their keeper has a huge amount of catches this season. @talkSPORT @bbctms @SkyCricket @TailendersPod https://t.co/iM7lZfKF5q"— Ben Mummery???????? (@ben_mummery) July 27, 2026
Saltburn will start the 2027 season in Division Three with a 60-point penalty, Middlesbrough's second XI will remain in Division Two, and Devine will be barred from ECB‑regulated cricket until September 29, 2028.
