Port Maria top St Mary T20 Cricket Awards

OCHO RIOS, Jamaica  — Port Maria emerged the big winners at the St Mary Cricket Association Maurice Clarke T20 Big Bash Awards Ceremony held at Beaches Ocho Rios on Thursday Night.

Apart from walking away with the winning trophy and $60,000 cash prize, Toussaint Hassan from Port Maria was awarded prizes for Top Wicket Taker with 18 wickets and Man of the Match for the final.

Alwayne Williams of Boscobel was the top batsman, scoring 390 runs throughout the competition, while Boscobel received $10,000 for placing third and Jack's River $30,000 as second placed team.

Sandals/Beaches Ocho Rios walked away with the Mayor LA Freeman's Trophy for being the Most Improved and Most Disciplined Team, while Aldane Thomas was declared the Best Wicketkeeper.

President of the Jamaica Cricket Association, Billy Heavens, lauded the St Mary Cricket Association for their sterling efforts in the development of cricket in the parish. He, however, urged them to play a greater role in improving the sport at the primary and high school levels, pointing out that this was where the development of Jamaica and West Indies cricket must begin.

President Heavens noted that the problem with West Indies' cricket was not with the selectors, as they can only select from the players available. The problem, he said, was the lack of a systemic developmental process to take a player from school to the international level.

Heavens praised the local sponsors for their support of St Mary Association, as well as the unity between that body and its players.

President of the St Mary Cricket Association, Leston Pinnock, urged the Jamaican selectors to make note of the St Mary players who have been impressive. He singled out opening batsman Alwayne Williams as one for the future.

The competition was sponsored by Costley Construction, LP Martin's Funeral Home, Braham's Service Station and Beaches Ocho Rios.