I was punched, batsman tells jury

Brothers Andrew and Michael Butt were playing for Elsworth Village

A batsman accused of assault when trouble flared at a village cricket match has given his side of the story.

Michael Butt, 32, told Cambridge Crown Court he had been attacked by members of the opposing team and the fathers of two of the young players.

He and his brother Andrew, 43, of St Ives, Cambs, each deny assaulting two players' fathers. Both were cleared of affray on direction of the judge.

Michael Butt admits actual bodily harm to a 14-year-old who bowled him out.

'Punched in the head'

He said the trouble began after he was bowled out by the young player for Cambridge St Giles Cricket Club during a match against the village team from Elsworth.

He told the court that as he left the pitch the youngster had called him "tosser".

As Mr Butt turned to remonstrate with the boy, he said other members of the St Giles team closed in around them and he was punched in the back of the head.

As he turned the teenager grabbed him and the pair grappled and fell to the floor to be rugby tackled by another member of the boy's team as he was getting up, the court heard.

Mr Butt told the court three members of the opposing team, including the teenager, then began punching, kicking and stamping on him.

Members of his own team then intervened and as he was ushered away towards the pavilion by two team mates, the court heard.

The father of the boy who he claims attacked him stormed onto the pitch swearing at him and punched him two or three times, he told the court.

'Assaulted again'

As he continued towards the pavilion he said he was assaulted again by the father of another player.

He told the court that when the two fathers burst into the changing room one of them assaulted him again.

Michael Butt denies assaulting the father of one opposition player while his brother Andrew, who has also been cleared of damaging property, denies assaulting another.

The trial continues.