The Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) recognised two former players and a pair of legendary officials during Sunday’s Celkon Mobile Cup clash between West Indies and India at Sabina Park.

O’neil ‘Collie’ Smith’s name was mounted on the upper west wing of the venue’s North Stand, while Alfred Valentine’s was placed on the upper east wing.

The quarters for match officials was rebranded the Douglas Sang Hue/Steve Bucknor Umpires’ Room.

All four represented Jamaica and the West Indies with distinction.

JCA president Lyndel Wright, the brother of Smith, told the Jamaica Observer that “an independent committee”, chaired by former batting stand-out Easton McMorris, chose the honorees.

Wright added that sponsorship came from Symptai Consulting Limited.

The move to have a committee decide comes against the backdrop of criticism thrown at the association when it named and later revoked the Lawrence Rowe Players’ Pavilion in 2011.

Smith, a reputed hard-hitting batsman and off-spin bowler, won the Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1957, but his career ended abruptly when, at age 26, he died of injuries sustained in a 1959 car accident.

The Collie Smith Drive in South St Andrew, the home of his club Boys’ Town, is named in his honour.

Valentine, a left-arm finger spinner, represented the regional side in the 1950s and 60s.

Bowling in tandem with off-spinner Sonny Ramadhin, he was a constant torment for opposing batsmen. In 1950, both combined to help the West Indies to a first Test series win in England.

Valentine died in 2004 at age 74.

The 81-year-old Sang Hue, a revered umpire in his prime, officiated in 31 Test matches between 1962 and 1981 and is said to have been the first non-Australian to umpire in Kerry Packer’s World Series in 1977.

Stephen ‘Steve’ Bucknor held his own as school teacher, coach and as a FIFA referee, but his role as an umpire brought him the greatest fame.

Bucknor, 67, featured in 128 Tests and 181 One-Day Internationals. He has the record for standing in the most Test matches and was awarded the Order of Jamaica in 2007.

Wright stressed the significance of acknowledging individuals who have made their mark in the sport.

“What is important is that we recognise these four who have served Jamaica and the West Indies,” he said.

When asked specifically about Smith, the JCA president, himself a former national player, said the naming should inspire young men and women living in tough inner city communities.

“A man (Smith) who has given service to the West Indies and the world at large is being recognised… this is an inspiration to the youngsters in the Trench Town/Boys’ Town inner city community,” he added proudly.

This year also marks the 150th anniversary of the Kingston Cricket Club, located at Sabina Park.