Former West Indies players James “Jimmy” Adams and Uton Dowe are among a list of past St Mary cricket giants to be honoured by the St Mary Cricket Association and the diaspora at a special Cricket Extravaganza slated for Friday, October 18, at the Boscobel Cricket Oval.

The honorees also include Dr David Crawford, Jeff McKitty (posthumously), Silbert Robinson, Whitcliffe Gray, Leebert Palmer, Weemin Chatom, Keith Leslie and Harrington Costley.

Apart from the awards segment, the day’s proceedings will also see a number of exciting cricket matches with Adams set to lead a St Mary masters team against diaspora teams Bronx Crusaders and St Mary Legends.

Scores of past St Mary players living abroad as well as friends and family are expected to be present at the cricket extravaganza. A number of special prizes are set to be awarded and presentations made before the staging of an after-party.

St Mary Cricket Association President Ian Spencer welcomed the collaboration with members of the diaspora to stage the cricket extravaganza.

“Cricket in St Mary at the moment is alive and well and our parish’s record in both the senior and junior competitions speaks for itself,” he said. “It is crucial that the current crop of players and spectators appreciate those who have contributed in the past, both as players and administrators, for the current success we are now reaping.”

Spencer noted that the event will offer a day of fun and great cricket. “The cricket extravaganza will blend a mix of past greats ad some of the bright young talents abounding in the parish.”

The cricket extravaganza will also witness the official handing over of the newly constructed changing room at the Boscobel ground by Member of Parliament Robert Montague. Mayor of Port Maria Fitzroy Wilson, who has contributed to the staging of the event, and Jamaica Cricket Association board members, are also expected to attend.

New York-based Vincent Dixon, a past St Mary cricketer who has been among the chief organisers, said it was a way for the diaspora to give back to St Mary’s cricket, which gave them a start in life and contributed to many successful careers home and abroad.

“We are extremely pleased to see the great strides being make in cricket in St Mary and we laud members of the association for the yeoman work they have been doing,” Dixon added.

Both Dixon and Spencer promised that spectators are in for a treat both on and off the field on Friday.