Saltburn Cricket Club fielder Brian Devine faces an official investigation after being accused of clicking his fingers to trick umpires into awarding catches behind. Video footage shared widely online shows the 38-year-old first slip appearing to make a clicking noise whenever the ball passes the bat.
The North Yorkshire and South Durham League initiated a probe following a formal complaint about a Division Two match on Saturday 25th July 2026. Saltburn won the fixture against Norton Cricket Club by 159 runs, but the game ended in controversy.
During the match, Saltburn bowler Sam Morrison delivered a ball to Norton batsman Noman Shabir that passed the bat without making contact. Devine appeared to click his fingers at the exact same moment. Wicketkeeper Josh Bowes took the ball and Saltburn appealed, leading the umpire to give Shabir out. Shabir protested the decision, pointing out to the umpire that he had not touched the ball and that the sound came from clicking fingers.
Devine, a father-of-one from Guisborough, Cleveland, works as a company secretary at Northallerton Auctions, a firm specialising in auctions for livestock and farm machinery. Social media users nicknamed him "Clicky Ponting" in a light-hearted reference to former Australia cricket captain Ricky Ponting.
When asked about the viral video and the nickname by the Daily Mail, Devine replied: "Naturally I can't comment on that." When informed of the cheating allegations, he added: "I don't want to talk about it. I'm at work."
League Probe and Family Defense
The North Yorkshire and South Durham League released an official statement regarding the situation. "The League has received a formal complaint regarding alleged incidents in a Division Two game on Saturday 25th July 2026. A full investigation has been initiated and until such time as the formal processes are complete, no further comment will be made," the league stated.
Devine's mother-in-law, Georgina Vaughan, defended him against the widespread accusations. Speaking on behalf of the family, the mother of Devine's partner Clare said: "It was only a little village cricket match and now it's become this thing that's all over the news and social media. It has got totally out of hand and there is nothing that any of us want to say." When asked directly if Devine was a man of integrity, Vaughan replied: "He certainly is."
Broadcaster Piers Morgan condemned the actions in a post on X on July 28, 2026. "Outrageous cheating, and just the tip of the iceberg from all that’s come out since it was exposed," Morgan wrote. "Clicky Ponting (as he is now known) and various teammates at Saltburn CC, have clearly been at this shameful scam for years. Imagine doing this in local amateur cricket? Pathetic."
Sponsorship Cancellation
The controversy cost Devine his local sponsorship deal with Spices of Saltburn, an Indian restaurant. Restaurant owner Akmol Hussain announced he would terminate the agreement, which was worth £1,000 a year and provided meal discounts for Devine and his teammates.
"It's not the biggest sponsorship deal in sport but that's not the point," Hussain told the Daily Mail. "I'm a huge cricket fan and what's happened is very bad. It's not in the spirit of this gentleman's game. It's not what I expect from Brian, or the club and I want nothing to do with them from now. I love cricket and even used to play for fun but I'm too old now."
Hussain added that he was shocked and disgusted by the video. "I've met him many times, but he has damaged the reputation of cricket and my restaurant," he said.
Career Background and Statistical Evidence
Devine has played for Saltburn Cricket Club for several years and is well known across North Yorkshire cricket circles. A prolific batsman, he previously represented Pudsey St Lawrence Cricket Club, helping them win the Bradford Premier League second tier championship in 2023. He returned to Saltburn at the start of the 2024 season, with one social media post noting: 'Excellent batting on Saturday from returning legend Brian Devine. 95 runs.'
Outside of cricket, Devine's social media posts reveal he is a fan of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. In a 2022 post, Devine wrote: "Top man Boris. Others may try to put you down! I won't have a bad word said! I am off to get my kettle."
Additional video clips online appear to show Devine clicking his fingers during other fixtures, including a match against Middlesbrough second XI. Statistics from Saltburn's 2026 season highlight a stark contrast depending on Devine's presence. In 13 matches with Devine fielding at slip, Saltburn's wicketkeeper took 39 catches. In seven matches played without Devine, the keeper took just five catches.
Scorecard data from earlier matches raised further questions about Saltburn's record. On July 18, wicketkeeper Josh Bowes recorded eight catches in a single match against Shildon Railway CC. By comparison, the record number of dismissals for a wicketkeeper in a Test match innings is seven. Bowes has averaged nearly four catches per match across eight games this season.
Online observers labeled the incidents the worst case of cheating seen in amateur cricket, with long bans expected. Unconfirmed reports online indicate that Saltburn has suspended Devine for the rest of the season. Daily Mail Sport requested comment from both Saltburn Cricket Club and Norton Cricket Club, but neither club responded. The England & Wales Cricket Board is unlikely to intervene directly while the local league investigation is ongoing.
