Melbourne Cricket Club was on Saturday evening lauded by new WIBC CEO Michael Muirhead and Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) president Lyndel Wright, for its role in the development of cricket locally and in the region.

Speaking at the club’s annual dinner and awards presentation at its base on Saturday, Muirhead said, “Melbourne must be celebrated as champions”, and that “Jamaica, West Indies and the world owe them a big gratitude for their contribution to the sport”.

“So it is right to pause and congratulate them,” he said.

Jamaica cricket boss, Wright also had high praises for the 110-year-old club and named a number of stalwarts who made immense contributions to the game like Courtney Walsh, Michael Holding and Marlon Samuels.

And he urged young and upcoming cricketers to emulate their idols and maintain the club’s legacy of producing top-quality players.

In the presentation of awards, West Indies and Jamaica bowler Nikita Miller was named Senior Cricketer of the Year, and Jahvon Wollaston Junior Cricketer of the Year, while Tarique White was the club’s Cricket Personality of the Year.

The 30-year-old Miller, who is away on duties with Jamaica in the regional Twenty20 competition, was also the club’s MVP for local T20 tournament.

He also received the prize for scoring the most runs in a match, 90.

Damion Jacobs was the Senior Cup MVP; Fabian Allen took that honour for the Junior Cup team, Wollaston for the Minor Cup side, and Dillon Ebanks for the Over-40 league.

Jacobs also had three other awards to his name on the evening, as he had the best performance in a match; the most wickets (58), and best bowling average (9.93).

White had the most runs for the club in the Senior Cup (353) and Andre McCarthy, the best batting average (38.11).

Dave Johnson had the best batting average in the T20 competition with 26.0 runs per game, while Christopher Lamount bagged the most wickets (nine).

However, Junior Cup MVP Allen starred this category, as he copped most wickets (nine), best bowling average (five), and had more than five wickets (five for 35) in a match.

In the batting department, Shawn Lodge scored the most runs (141), and Thavi Spencer boasted the best average (55.5).

Wollaston, the Minor Cup MVP, had the most runs for his section and Rayon Edwards the best average, while David Meeks had the most wickets (six), and best bowling average.

Presentations were also made to members of staff and special awards given to Neville Walker (Founder’s Award) and Vincent Miller (President’s Award).