Amateur cricketer Brian Devine banned for two years over finger clicking trick

Amateur cricketer Brian Devine has been handed a two-year ban from cricket following an investigation by the England and Wales Cricket Board. The Guardian and the Daily Mail both reported that the 38-year-old was disciplined after deceiving umpires to falsely claim wickets. His team, Saltburn Cricket Club 2nd XI, has also been relegated and faces punishment. [1][2][3][4][5][6]

The incident occurred during a Division Two match in the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League, according to the Guardian. Footage of Devine clicking his fingers as the ball passed the bat went viral in July. The sound imitated an edge off the bat, which successfully tricked the umpire into awarding wickets. [1][2]

Devine earned the nickname Clicky Ponting online, a play on the name of former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting, the Daily Mail reported. Alongside Devine's two-year suspension, the Guardian and the Daily Mail reported that Saltburn 2nd XI has been relegated, fined, and given a points deduction. [1][2]