No previous allegations of cheating made against ‘Clicky Ponting’, says Leeds ex-club
The player was suspended by his club Saltburn this week
The former Leeds team of the cricketer at the centre of the ‘Clicky Ponting’ cheating controversy says no complaints about his conduct were raised by opponents or umpires during his time at the club.
The player, who has been named as Brian Devine, was on Wednesday suspended by his club Saltburn for the “foreseeable future” after footage of him allegedly clicking his fingers to get a caught-behind wicket went viral on social media.
According to the Daily Mail, footage has since emerged from August 2021 which allegedly shows Devine, then playing for Pudsey St Lawrence in the Bradford Premier League, repeatedly clicking his fingers while opponents were batting.
But that club said in a statement on Thursday: “Pudsey St Lawrence Cricket Club is aware of allegations involving Mr Brian Devine during his time as a player for the club.
“At no stage was the club aware of any alleged misconduct by Mr Devine, nor were any concerns or complaints raised with the club by opposition teams or umpires who officiated the fixtures in question.
“The club expects its players to uphold the highest standards of integrity and sportsmanship and takes any credible concerns extremely seriously.”
The Bradford League added in a statement: “We are aware of the video footage circulating, but it is not our policy to undertake retrospective investigations.”
The initial video, posted on Monday evening, was from Saltburn’s second XI victory over Norton in Division Two and showed Devine clicking his fingers as the ball passed Norton batter Noman Shabir’s bat before being caught by wicketkeeper Josh Bowes, which persuaded the umpire to give him out.
The North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League has launched an investigation.
Saltburn said in a statement on Wednesday they were treating the allegation with the “utmost seriousness”.
They said: “The player at the centre of the complaint has been suspended and will not play again for the club this season or in the foreseeable future, pending the outcome of this investigation.”
They added it had been a “very distressing and stressful experience for all those concerned”.
The viral video footage of the incident has attracted headlines across the world and been met with global condemnation.