BOLTON Cricket League chairman John Hutchinson has explained the circumstances surrounding a controversial change in payment for a man-of-the-match prize in a recent game.

The award to the top player at an under-21s friendly between the Bolton League and the Greater Manchester League was originally set at £100.

It was reduced by the Bolton League who were unhappy that the GMCL had played an overseas amateur in their team.

The rules of the North West Under-21 Inter-league, which was set up this season and which the Bolton League play in and the GMCL do not, are that no overseas amateurs are allowed.

The rules were agreed verbally by representatives of the four leagues which play in the competition – the Bolton League, the Liverpool Competition, the Northern League and the North Staffordshire and South Cheshire League.

Sammut scored 166 out of the GMCL's 273 with the other players in the GMCL side scoring 102 runs between them.

The Bolton League replied with 171 in the game at Woodbank Cricket Club in Bury.

It was the first game ever between inter-league sides from the two leagues.

The reduction in the amount of prize money paid to Australian Sammut, who is Greenmount's overseas player, has sparked much discussion on social media.

In a bid to provide clarity to the situation, Hutchinson, who has been subjected to criticism over the matter on social media, has explained the sequence of events.

He said: "I obtained, via our sponsors, a man-of-the-match prize of £100. The clear winner of the award on the day was an overseas player.

"The Bolton League players, officials and spectators present at Woodbank CC asked me to withdraw the award saying that the player involved should not have played in the match.

"I considered this harsh and therefore agreed with the GMCL officials that the award should be split 50-50 between this match and the forthcoming under-18s match between the two leagues.

"Accordingly, I have behaved with the highest level of integrity and fairness. I do not deserve to have my name dragged through the mud by individuals commenting on social media without any reference to the facts."