An English club cricketer has gone viral after allegedly using finger clicks to mimic the sound of the ball striking the bat, reportedly tricking umpires into giving batters out.

Brian Devine, a wicketkeeper for Saltburn Cricket Club in North Yorkshire, has been dubbed “Clicky Ponting” after footage of the alleged tactic spread widely online.

In local cricket, where teams often play without professional decision-review technology, umpires rely heavily on what they see and hear when making decisions. Devine is accused of clicking his fingers at the moment the ball passed the bat, creating the impression that a genuine edge had occurred.

The unusual controversy has sparked debate among cricket fans and prompted an investigation by the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League.

The allegations have also drawn comparisons with some of cricket’s most infamous controversies, including Shane Warne’s suspension for a prohibited substance, Hansie Cronje’s match-fixing scandal and Australia’s 2018 Sandpaper Gate saga.

Whether “Clicky Ponting” becomes another name associated with cricket’s controversial moments will depend on the findings of the league’s investigation.

–with Rory Campbell

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