JEROME TAYLOR, the West Indies' leading strike bowler in recent times, is Jamaica's Cricketer of the Year 2008.

Although many jumped, maybe too early, to declare him as lethal as some of the former greats, Taylor has over the past year emerged as the kingpin of the West Indies' attack.

Over the course of the year, Taylor has played seven Test matches for the West Indies, taking 28 wickets at 28.46 with a best return of 4-52 against Sri Lanka in a two-Test series in which he topped the bowling chart with 11 victims.

He had eight wickets from two Test matches against Australia at 17.00 and nine in three Test against South Africa.

In ODIs over the same period, he had 30 wickets in 16 matches with a best of 5-48 against Zimbabwe, while three 20/20 matches brought him five scalps.

Carib Beer Series

And in the Carib Beer Series, which Jamaica won, Taylor, in three matches, picked up 10 wickets. He returned from West Indies duties to hit 27 not out in the first innings and then claimed three wickets, which proved vital in Jamaica's Carib Beer Challenge success.

Taylor, who is with the West Indies squad in New Zealand, was unable to collect his first Cricketer of the Year award at the JCA's award function, held at Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston on Wednesday night. Brenton Parchment, his long-time friend and teammate, accepted on his behalf.

Meanwhile, Tamar Lambert, acting Jamaica team captain, received the Collie Smith Trophy for leadership on and off the field.

Shawn Findlay, who leaves shortly for the West Indies' one-day leg of the New Zealand tour, took the Laurie Williams Award for the Most Disciplined Senior Team Player.

Mavarick Perry took the E.A. Rae Award for the national under-19 player who, in the opinion of his colleagues, set the best examples on and off the field. The George Headley for Excellence in Youth Cricket Trophy went to Andre Creary.

Shenel Daley took the Vivalyn Latty-Scott for the Most Improved Female Player.

International umpire Steve Bucknor received the President's Award for his long and dedicated service to the game.

Coach Junior Bennett, who led Jamaica to the Carib Beer and Challenge crowns and second place in the Stanford 20/20, was Coach of the Year.

Lorenzo Ingram of Trelawny and Nkrumah Bonner were the top Super League and Senior Cup players respectively.

Ingram scored most runs (616) and was also the top all-rounder in the Super League. Bonner was the top runscorer (697) and leading all-rounder in the Senior Cup.

- Anthony Foster