{
  "id": 18502791,
  "title": "'Clicky Ponting' handed two-year suspension for finger-clicking deception",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/clicky-ponting-handed-two-year-suspension-for-finger-clicking",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-11-06T13:13:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40447781/clicky-ponting-handed-two-year-suspension-for-finger-clicking-deception"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "An English amateur cricketer, nicknamed \"Clicky Ponting\" after former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, has been suspended for two years by the England and Wales Cricket Board following a controversial finger-clicking deception on the field. The suspension, effective from September 30, 2026, to September 29, 2028, covers all aspects of cricket, including playing, coaching, umpiring, scoring, and managing junior teams. The fielder allegedly mimicked the sound of a ball nicking the bat by clicking his fingers, a tactic that tricked umpires when deliveries were missed and caught by the wicketkeeper. This deceptive act gained widespread attention on social media earlier this year, sparking international headlines. The North Yorkshire & South Durham Cricket League conducted an investigation, which included player interviews, written statements, and a review of video footage by a three-person disciplinary panel. In addition to the suspension, Saltburn Cricket Club has been fined £300 ($402.87) and their second team has been relegated to Division Three of the league. They will also face a 60-point deduction, starting with the 2027 season.",
  "summary": "The English amateur cricketer who went viral for finger-clicking trickery has been handed a two-year suspension from all cricket under the jurisdiction of England and Wales Cricket Board, the North Yorkshire & South Durham Cricket League said on Friday. The fielder, dubbed “Clicky Ponting” on social media in a nod to former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, allegedly tricked umpires by clicking…",
  "key_points": [
    "Clicky Ponting suspended for two years by ECB",
    "Finger-clicking deception tricked umpires",
    "Club fined £300, second team relegated"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}