Finger-clicking trick on umpire: English club cricketer Devine banned for two years, team relegated

English club cricketer Brian Devine has been banned from all cricket for two years for tricking an umpire by clicking his fingers. His team, Saltburn Cricket Club’s 2nd XI, have also been relegated.

Devine, 38, earned online notoriety in July after footage went viral. Fielding in a Division Two match in the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League, he clicked his fingers and successfully tricked the umpire into believing a Norton CC batter had edged a catch behind.

The practice earned him the nickname “Clicky Ponting”, a nod to former Australia captain Ricky Ponting.

After the incident, Saltburn provisionally suspended him for the remainder of the 2026 season while the league investigated. Further examples of the practice subsequently emerged and were circulated widely online.

A three-person disciplinary panel held player interviews, took written statements and reviewed the footage. Both Devine and Saltburn CC then accepted misconduct charges.

Under the sanctions announced on Friday, Devine is banned from all cricket under the auspices of the England and Wales Cricket Board until the end of the 2028 season. The ban covers playing, coaching, umpiring, scoring and managing junior teams.

Saltburn CC have been fined £300. The club’s 2nd XI has been relegated to Division Three of the NYSDCL, after an appeal against their sanction.

Saltburn’s 2nd XI will also start the 2027 season with a 60-point deduction, while previously relegated Middlesbrough CC have retained their place in Division Two.

In a statement, the league looked to draw a line under the matter and acknowledged the impact on a volunteer-run club. “The League recognises the strain this has placed on many people, especially those who were abused online and in person,” the statement read. “We ask everyone to respect that the formal process is now complete.”

Saltburn CC said in a statement: “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 focussing on preparations for the 2027 season.”