Saltburn Cricket Club has suspended Brian Devine indefinitely after allegations of cheating during a league match. The North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League has also launched an investigation after footage appeared to show Devine clicking his fingers to fake a bat edge.
The incident took place during Saltburn Cricket Club's 159-run win over Norton Cricket Club in a Second XI Division Two match on July 25. Devine appeared to click his fingers as the ball passed batter Noman Shabir before wicketkeeper Josh Bowes completed the catch and the umpire gave the batter out.
The league opened a formal investigation after a complaint was lodged over the Second XI Division Two match between Saltburn and Norton. A meeting involving club officials, league representatives, and legal advisers has already taken place, although no outcome has been announced.
We Are Treating This Allegation With Utmost Seriousness - Saltburn Suspend Brian Devine
Saltburn Cricket Club confirmed that Brian Devine has been suspended indefinitely while the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League investigates the alleged cheating incident.
"This is issued in response to the widely publicised complaint made against a Saltburn Cricket Club member and, as a consequence, against the club more generally. We are treating this allegation with the utmost seriousness and, as a family-centric club, we are fully investigating with the NYSD's investigation."
"We believe that the club acted decisively as soon as the complaint and investigation were made known to us. The player at the centre of the complaint has been suspended and will not play again for the club this season or in the forseeable future, pending the outcome of this investigation."
"Initial discussions have already taken place between club officials and the league. This has been a very distressing and stressful experience for all those concerned, and we would ask that this reality is borne in mind and that personal boundaries are respected, as we are an amateur club entirely run by volunteers."
Saltburn Concede Cup Match After Viral 'Finger-Clicking' Controversy
Saltburn's second team conceded its scheduled Division Two Hundred first-round match against Marton following the controversy. The club cited player availability during the holiday season, although the decision came as the incident attracted worldwide attention across the cricket community.
The original clip, posted on X by amateur cricketer Ben Mummery, has received more than seven million views. It appeared to show Brian Devine clicking his fingers as the ball passed the bat before wicketkeeper Josh Bowes completed the catch.
The footage quickly went viral, with social media users nicknaming Devine "Clicky Ponting." Television presenter Piers Morgan also criticized the incident, calling Devine the "biggest cheat in cricket history".
We Want the Issue to Be Dealt With - Sponsor Backs Investigation
Local Indian restaurant Spices dismissed reports that it had withdrawn its support from Saltburn Cricket Club. Owner Akmol Hussain said that the restaurant sponsors the club as a whole rather than any individual player and wants the investigation to reach a fair conclusion.
"We'd like to continue sponsoring the club, but we want the issue to be dealt with. We see Brian as a representative of the club, not the owner of the club. Cricket is a gentleman's game. We want to continue supporting the club. It should be truly investigated and dealt with by the league."
The North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League has confirmed that a formal investigation is underway. Possible sanctions range from suspensions and lifetime bans for individuals to action against the club itself.
Meanwhile, Brian Devine declined to comment on the allegations, saying his work as an auctioneer prevented him from answering questions, while the league, Norton Cricket Club, and the England and Wales Cricket Board have not commented further during the investigation.
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