⚖️ Clicky Ponting cricketer Brian Devine banned for two years

Brian Devine, the club cricketer dubbed "Clicky Ponting", has been banned from all cricket for two years. The Guardian says the North Yorkshire and South Durham league announced the sanctions on Friday. BBC Sport, Yahoo Sports and AFP carry the same ruling.

The scoreboard, as reported: Devine is out until 29 September 2028. Saltburn's second XI drop to Division Three and start 2027 on a 60-point deduction. The club pays a £300 fine.

Who says what

BBC Sport reports the ban covers all cricket under England and Wales Cricket Board jurisdiction. It says Devine cannot play, coach, umpire, score or manage junior teams. The Guardian puts the end date differently, as the end of the 2028 season. BBC Sport, AFP and the Somerset County Gazette all give 29 September 2028.

Both the player and the club admitted the charges, according to BBC Sport and AFP. The Guardian and Yahoo Sports describe them as misconduct charges. BBC Sport says Devine accepted his punishment and Saltburn appealed theirs.

The Somerset County Gazette reports the appeal was heard on October 26 and dismissed. No other outlet in the pack gives that date, so treat it as that paper's report.

BBC Sport also reports the league believed other members of the Saltburn team were involved. Devine was the only player sanctioned.

The response

Saltburn CC issued a statement, quoted by The Guardian and Yahoo Sports: the club "fully participated in the disciplinary proceedings and accept the decision of the appeal following the original decision from the League." It added that it is now "focussing on preparations for the 2027 season."

BBC Sport says it contacted Saltburn CC and Devine for comment. No statement from Devine appears in the reports read.

"The League recognises the strain this has placed on many people, especially those who were abused online and in person. We ask everyone to respect that the formal process is now complete."

North Yorkshire and South Durham league statement, as reported by The Guardian and BBC Sport

What happens next

Nothing, if the league has its way. In a statement to the Press Association, reported by AFP, it said it "will make no further comment." The reports read give no further hearing or appeal route. Whether any other player faces action is not stated.

Backstory

The case dates to July. A clip from a Division Two match between Saltburn and Norton showed Devine, fielding at slip, appearing to click his fingers as the ball passed the bat. The umpire gave the batter out, according to BBC Sport. The clip went viral. AFP says it drew millions of views.

Per The Guardian, Saltburn provisionally suspended Devine for the rest of the 2026 season while the league investigated. The nickname nods to former Australia captain Ricky Ponting. BBC Sport adds that Saltburn's first XI had already been relegated from the NYSD Premier League after finishing 11th.

As of Nov 6, 9:48 AM ET, the ruling is confirmed across BBC Sport, The Guardian, AFP and Yahoo Sports. Devine is banned until 29 September 2028, and Saltburn's second XI are relegated with a 60-point deduction and a £300 fine. The league says the process is complete. Still unreported are any comment from Devine and any action against other players.