Brian Devine, the 38-year-old club cricketer nicknamed 'Clicky Ponting', has been banned from all ECB-governed cricket until the end of the 2028 season. His club, Saltburn CC, has also seen its 2nd XI relegated and fined. The sanctions close a disciplinary process that followed viral footage from the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League.
What Happened in the Viral Incident
The case began in July, when footage from Division Two of the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League (NYSDCL) spread online. In the clip, Devine clicks his fingers while fielding. The sound convinced the umpire that a Norton CC batter had edged a catch behind.
The nickname is a nod to former Australia captain Ricky Ponting. Devine was provisionally suspended by his club for the rest of the 2026 season while the league investigated. Further examples of the practice later emerged and circulated widely online.
How the League Investigated
A three-person disciplinary panel reviewed the evidence. It included player interviews, written statements and a review of the footage. Both Devine and Saltburn CC accepted misconduct charges.
Saltburn CC later appealed its sanction. The final outcome was announced on Friday.
Full Sanctions at a Glance
The penalties fall on both the individual and the club. The table below summarises the confirmed outcomes.
| Party | Sanction | Detail |
|---|
| Brian Devine | Ban from ECB cricket | Until the end of the 2028 season |
| Saltburn CC | Fine | £300 |
| Saltburn CC 2nd XI | Relegation | To NYSDCL Division Three |
| Saltburn CC 2nd XI | Points deduction | 60 points at the start of the 2027 season |
The scale of the club sanctions stands out. A 60-point deduction before a ball is bowled in 2027 is a heavy competitive penalty on top of relegation.
Scope of Devine's Ban
The ban is not limited to playing. It covers playing, coaching, umpiring, scoring and managing junior teams. That makes it a full withdrawal from organised cricket under the England and Wales Cricket Board.
The length is measured to the end of the 2028 season, so it runs beyond a simple two-year calendar count from the original incident.
Impact on the NYSDCL Divisions
The relegation of Saltburn's 2nd XI also affects the wider league. Middlesbrough CC had previously been relegated but have retained their place in Division Two. In effect, the outcome for one club has changed the standing of another.
| Club | Previous Status | Outcome |
|---|
| Saltburn CC 2nd XI | Division Two | Relegated to Division Three |
| Middlesbrough CC | Previously relegated | Retains Division Two place |
Club and League Responses
The NYSDCL acknowledged the strain on a volunteer-run club. It said people had been abused online and in person. It asked everyone to respect that the formal process is now complete.
Saltburn CC said it fully participated in the proceedings and accepts the appeal decision. The club says it is now focusing on preparing for the 2027 season.
Timeline of the Case
The sequence shows how quickly a local match incident became a formal sanction case. The table lists the key stages.
| Stage | Development |
|---|
| July | Footage goes viral; Devine is provisionally suspended for the rest of the 2026 season |
| Investigation | Player interviews, written statements and footage review by a three-person panel |
| Charges | Devine and Saltburn CC accept misconduct charges |
| Appeal | Saltburn CC appeals its sanction; final outcome confirmed |
| Friday announcement | Ban, fine, relegation and points deduction confirmed |
Why the Case Matters
The penalties are severe by amateur-cricket standards. They combine a multi-season individual ban with club-level financial and competitive costs. The case shows that league bodies can act on video evidence, even at Division Two level.
It also sets a reference point for how deliberate attempts to deceive umpires may be treated in recreational cricket. The numbers are clear: a ban running to the end of 2028, a £300 fine, relegation and a 60-point deduction.