The controversy surrounding the non-selection of a winner of the Warrington “Soup” Zuill Sportsmanship Award from the recent Cup Match has been resolved, with Somerset’s Stephen Outerbridge confirmed yesterday as the winner.

However, commentators Wendell Smith and Dwayne “Sluggo” Leverock have refuted claims by their colleague Allen Richardson in Saturday’s paper that the committee, which was also supposed to include umpires Emmerson Carrington and Oscar Andrade, could not come up with a winner.

“The first I heard of that was what I read in Saturday’s paper,” Smith said. He said the so-called committee never got together to discuss any candidates.

“Sluggo also said he knew nothing about it, therefore no decision could be made. He and I refute the claims there was any discussion.

“The first I knew that we were expected to do this was when I read your paper.”

Smith acted swiftly, made some phone calls over the weekend to Leverock and Carrington, and announced yesterday that the trio had agreed on a winner.

“We have come up with a choice that all three of us agreed on,” Smith said. “We agreed that Stephen Outerbridge who took the decision to walk on 49 when he edged a ball was a good show of sportsmanship. He was also not involved in any sledging or arguing with other players.

“I also contacted [organiser] Hoyt Zuill who said it was not too late [to select a winner]. Somebody deserving would not have gotten this award and Stephen Outerbridge is deserving of the award.”

Zuill, who put up the award in 2010 in memory of his late father, a Cup Match historian, is pleased that the matter has been resolved.

“Wendell spoke to the umpire and told me who it would be and I agreed to it,” Zuill said.

“I just have to decide a date for the presentation because I have a sponsor who is willing to donate $500 to the winner.”

Some controversy also surrounded this year’s other awards with the Safe Hands award won by Allan Douglas of St George’s though he did not take a catch during the two days.

“This year’s winner demonstrated a sportsmanship and outstanding fielding that went beyond catches alone,” said Dr Mahesh Reddy last week, speaking on behalf of Bermuda Healthcare Services, the sponsors of the award.

There was also a delay in announcing the MVP winner, Janeiro Tucker, after his century in the Somerset innings in what was his final Cup Match.

“I’m on the Government Sports Awards and we sit for over two hours every year [to deliberate nominations],” Smith said.

“That’s how it should be done, consultation and dialogue.”