Sports · Cricket · 3 hrs ago
Cricketer banned for two years after viral finger-clicking deception
Brian Devine has been banned from cricket for two years after an investigation into a cheating scandal in northern England.
The amateur player, who played for Saltburn’s second team, was caught clicking his fingers as the ball passed a batter to imitate the sound of an edge.
The deception led an umpire to give Norton batter Noman Shabir out after a catch by the wicketkeeper.
Video of the incident spread widely online after a match was streamed and footage was shared on social media.
The footage brought international attention to Saltburn and prompted questions about similar incidents in earlier matches.
Saltburn’s team has been relegated to the third division and will start the 2027 season with a 60-point deduction and a £300 fine.
Devine is barred from playing, coaching or scoring until September 2028, while the club says it accepts the decision and is preparing for the new season.
Brian Devine has been banned from involvement in cricket for two years after an England and Wales Cricket Board investigation into finger-clicking used to deceive umpires.
Footage showed Devine clicking his fingers as the ball passed a batsman, imitating the sound of an edge and helping his team claim a wicket.
The incident, during a match between Saltburn’s second team and Norton Cricket Club, went viral after footage was posted online.
Saltburn have been relegated to the third division and will start the 2027 season with a 60-point deduction and a £300 fine.
- Who
- Brian Devine, an amateur player for Saltburn’s second team, was banned. Saltburn were also punished.
- What
- Devine received a two-year ban from involvement in cricket in any form. Saltburn were relegated, given a points deduction and fined.
- When
- The footage went viral in July. The ban was reported on 5 November 2026.
- Where
- The incident happened during a match against Norton Cricket Club. Saltburn is in north-east England.
- Why
- Devine clicked his fingers to imitate the sound of the ball hitting the bat, deceiving umpires into giving a batsman out.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Footage of Devine clicking his fingers during a match against Norton Cricket Club went viral.
The Daily Mail reported that Devine had been banned for two years following an ECB investigation.
Saltburn are due to start the season in the third division with a 60-point deduction.
The article says Devine is banned from cricket until this month.
- Player
- Brian Devine
- Team
- Saltburn’s second team
- Ban
- Two years
- Saltburn’s division
- Third division from the 2027 season
- Points deduction
- 60 points
- Fine
- £300
What people are saying
The club fully participated in the disciplinary proceedings and accept the decision of the appeal following the original decision from the League.
We are now focussing on preparations for the 2027 season.
about the worst case of cheating I have ever seen in cricket
outrageous cheating