As Man of the Match awards go, a lawnmower is certainly near the top of the strange prizes offered to cricketers.

Therefore when South Africa's Makhaya Ntini got the nod from the Irish media adjudicators at Clontarf back in 2003, he had a right to look somewhat bemused.

He may have expected a nice little cheque, a bottle or two of Irish whiskey, or perhaps a nice piece of Waterford chrystal for his efforts.

However, he was presented with a brand new lawnmower courtesy of the match sponsors Viking.

Ntini took it in good spirits and was happy to pose for the photographers as he went around the Castle Avenue outfield.

Makhaya Ntini with his lawnmower (© Rowland White)

He had dismissed Jeremy Bray, Andre Botha and Peter Gillespie to take 3 for 21, also running out top scorer Niall O'Brien for 31 as the tourists sealed a 132-run win.

Ntini didn't need to pack the lawnmower in his luggage though as he was offered a lawnmower back in SA of similar value, but opted to accept a cash alternative from the sponsors, saving a massive excess baggage charge …

It wasn't the first time an odd award had been on offer for Irish cricketers. Back in 1978 when they took on Denmark at Rathmines in a three-day game, the match sponsors Candy offered a washing machine for the MOM.

Dermott Monteith, the Irish skipper was keen to claim the prize and after scoring 50 and taking four wickets in the first innings was the clear favourite.

However, when John Elder claimed the first six wickets of the Danish second innings, the skipper was forced to ask him to take a break to ensure the washing machine was his.

'Monty' duly claimed two additional wickets and pipped the Bangor paceman to the prize.

Not sure if his whites were whiter than white that year …