2-year ban for ‘Clicky Ponting’, English club relegated with 60-point deduction

NEW DELHI: England club cricketer Brian Devine, popularly known as ‘Clicky Ponting’, has been banned from cricket for two years following a cheating scandal that attracted global attention.The 38-year-old gained notoriety earlier this year after a video showed him snapping his fingers as the ball went past an opposition player, seemingly trying to make it sound like an edge.The incident went viral on social media and drew criticism from cricket pundits and fans. Devine was initially suspended by his club while officials investigated the matter.According to British media reports, his punishment includes a ban from playing, coaching, refereeing, scoring and managing junior teams.

The club is also facing a heavy penalty

The action also affected Saltburn Cricket Club’s second eleven, who were leading the North Yorkshire and South Durham League before the controversy.The team was automatically relegated to the third division and will start next season with a 60-point deficit, making promotion difficult.In comparison, former Australia captains Steve Smith and David Warner received 12-month bans for their involvement in the 2018 ball-tampering scandal.Accepting the appeal decision, Saltburn CC said: “The club has fully participated in the disciplinary process and accepts the appeal decision following the League’s original decision. Our focus is now on preparing for the 2027 season.”

Experts are divided over the controversy

The incident drew criticism from several public figures, including Piers Morgan. However, Sam Perry and Ian Higgins of The Grade Cricketer felt that the reaction to the amateur cricketer’s actions had become exaggerated.“For more than a decade we have celebrated and benefited from the magic of the low-rent, rich, dark underbelly of club cricket alongside hundreds of thousands of people around the world,” they said.They also questioned the extent of the backlash, saying: “Of course, some members of Saltburn CC appear to have engaged in comically sharp practices. But sadly, when fools like Piers Morgan declare to millions that ‘Clicky Ponting must be the biggest con in the history of cricket’, all proportionality is lost and we feel a brotherly duty to support the club in this context.”