An amateur cricket fielder is under investigation for allegedly clicking his fingers to deceive umpires into giving batsmen out, a tactic captured in a viral video. The North Yorkshire and South Durham League has launched a formal probe into allegations against Saltburn Cricket Club.
Saltburn Cricket Club Faces Investigation
The controversy centers on Saltburn's second XI match against Norton Cricket Club. Video footage widely circulated online appears to show a fielder, identified as Brian Devine, clicking his fingers as a ball passes the bat. This noise, intended to mimic an edge, led to the dismissal of Norton batsman Noman Shabir, who protested his innocence.
Brian Devine, 38, a well-known figure in North Yorkshire cricket, is at the heart of the allegations. Nicknamed 'Clicky Ponting' on social media, Devine has a history of playing for Saltburn Cricket Club. He also played for Pudsey St Lawrence Cricket Club, contributing to their Bradford Premier League second tier championship win in 2023 before returning to Saltburn for the current season.
Evidence Emerges in Cricket Cheating Row
The league's investigation stems from a formal complaint regarding incidents in a Division Two game. The league stated, "A full investigation has been initiated and until such time as the formal processes are complete, no further comment will be made." Saltburn won the match against Norton by 159 runs.
Beyond the immediate incident, other video clips have surfaced online, purportedly showing Devine employing similar tactics in previous matches. This has drawn condemnation from figures like Piers Morgan, who called the actions "outrageous cheating" and a "shameful scam."
Statistical anomalies have also raised suspicion. In 13 matches in 2026 where Devine was the slip fielder, Saltburn's wicket-keeper took 39 catches. In seven matches without Devine, the wicket-keeper made only five catches. One match saw wicketkeeper Josh Bowes take eight catches, a number highly unusual for amateur cricket and exceeding the Test match record of seven in an innings.
Sponsorship Withdrawn Amidst Scandal
Brian Devine's sponsorship deal with local Indian restaurant Spices of Saltburn has been terminated. Owner Akmol Hussain expressed shock and disgust, stating, "It's not what I expect from Brian, or the club and I want nothing to do with them from now." The sponsorship was reportedly worth £1,000 annually and included player discounts.
Devine's mother-in-law, Georgina Vaughan, defended him, calling him a "man of integrity" and expressing surprise at the scale of the controversy. She stated, "It was only a little village cricket match and now it's become this thing that's all over the news and social media."
