‘Clicky Ponting’ handed two-year suspension over cricket cheating scandal

Amateur cricketer caught clicking his fingers while fielding to trick umpire into thinking the batsman had edged the ball. The English amateur cricketer who went viral ⁠for finger-clicking trickery ⁠has been handed a two-year suspension, the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League has said. The video footage went viral on social media and made international headlines earlier this year.

A three-person disciplinary panel reviewed the ‌footage and considered player interviews and written statements before imposing the ban. “The player concerned is suspended from all cricket under the ECB’s [the England and Wales Cricket Board] jurisdiction for two years, from 30 September 2026 to 29 September 2028. This covers playing, coaching, umpiring, scoring and managing junior teams,” the NYSDL said in a statement on Friday.

Additionally, Saltburn ⁠Cricket Club have been fined 300 pounds ($402.87) and ⁠their second XI has been relegated to Division Three of the NYSDCL and will start the 2027 season with a 60-point deduction, the league added.