An amateur cricketer has been banned for two years for his role in the ‘Clicky Ponting’ cheating scandal that made headlines across the globe.

Brian Devine, fielding at slip, clicked his fingers to mimic the noise of the ball taking the edge of the bat.

Devine, playing for Saltburn second XI, was filmed in a North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League (NYSD) Division Two match against Norton in July.

He has now been banned from all cricket under the jurisdiction of the England and Wales Cricket Board until 29 September 2028.

Saltburn’s second XI have also been relegated from Division Two and will start the 2027 season in Division Three with a 60-point deduction. The club has been fined £300.

In a statement, the NYSD confirmed it has received complaints relating to the conduct of Devine and Saltburn in multiple matches.

Both the player and the club admitted the charges. Devine accepted his punishment, while Saltburn appealed against theirs.

Although Devine was the only player sanctioned, the NYSD was of the belief that other members of the Saltburn team were involved.

“In late July, the League received complaints about the alleged conduct of a Saltburn CC second XI player in NYSD Division Two matches and commenced an investigation with the co-operation of Saltburn CC,” said the statement.

“The investigation ran over several weeks and included player interviews, written statements and a detailed review of video footage.”