Jamaica pays homage to late cricketing greats

Kingston (Jamaica), July 2 (IANS/CMC): Former Jamaica and West Indies cricketing greats, Alfred Valentine and Collie Smith, have been honoured for their contribution to the sport.

The upper eastern wing at Sabina Park was named the Alfred Valentine Wing, while the upper western wing was named the Collie Smith Wing, in tribute to the two late greats.

The tribute occurred during the Celkon Mobile Cup Tri-Nation one-day international match between West Indies and India at Sabina Park Sunday.

“It is a glowing honour for them,” declared president of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA), Lyndel Wright.

“They have made significant contributions to Jamaica and the West Indies, and it is well deserved as they have represented our people well.”

Valentine is the first bowler to take eight wickets in his first Test innings and the first West Indian to take a hundred Test wickets.

Smith was a hard-hitting batsman and off spin bowler who was rated highly in the West Indies.

For the first time, umpires were also recognised with the naming of an area at Sabina Park in their honour.

The Umpires’ Room was renamed the Douglas Sang Hue Steve Bucknor Umpires’ Room.

Sang Hue stood in 31 Tests between 1962 and 1981 and was regarded as the best umpire by many during his time.

“This is the first time they have honoured umpires in Jamaica and I think it is overdue for umpires to be recognised,” 81-year-old Hue told The Gleaner.

“It is good not only for me, but for the umpires.”