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By Peter Della Penna

The year in cricket is ending, but DreamCricket.com is beginning something new by establishing its first ever Radiant Info USA Cricket Awards.  With so many tremendous players and outstanding performances, it is only fitting that the players and people who have done their best to make USA shine bright on the international stage be recognized for their efforts. 

Each award will comprise of a plaque recognizing the recipient and a gift certificate worth $250 sponsored by the New Inning Foundation, DreamCricket.com and Radiant Info. 

"An essential component of cricket development is to celebrate the achievements of the cricketers and cricket supporters.  At DreamCricket.com, we have wanted to launch these awards for some years now and I would like to thank Radiant Info and the New Inning Foundation for helping us realize this dream" Kranthi Bayya, CEO of DreamCricket.com said. 

In 2010, there were 49 players who represented USA in tournaments around the globe at the U-19, women’s and senior cricket levels. All of them deserve to be commended for making it into the final playing XI for any USA team. However, in the player category, the Radiant Info USA Cricket awards will only honor the best of the best from among USA’s national teams.

Each weekday for the next two weeks, DreamCricket.com will unveil the winner of each of the nine player awards on offer in 2010.  That will be followed around Christmas by awards recognizing off-field efforts and initiatives. 

In the Player category, following are the 2010 Radiant Info USA Cricket Awards:

Tuesday, December 7 - Newcomer of the Year
Wednesday, December 8 - Individual Performance of the Year
Thursday, December 9 - Comeback Player of the Year
Friday, December 10 - Twenty20 Player of the Year
Monday, December 13 – Batsman of the Year
Tuesday, December 14 – Bowler of the Year
Wednesday, December 15 – Women’s Cricketer of the Year
Thursday, December 16 – Junior Cricketer of the Year
Friday, December 17 – Cricketer of the Year

The awards have been decided based on a combination of factors including statistical achievement, performing under pressure, and giving their best effort to represent USA in 2010. The players were judged on their performances in USA’s international commitments. These included the ICC U-19 World Cup, ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier, ICC WCL Division Five, The Pearls Cup vs. Jamaica, ICC Americas Division One, ICC Americas Women’s Championship and ICC WCL Division Four.

It is inevitable that the awards will be debated, particularly in relation to the statistical aspects of the awards presented to players who represented USA at the senior level. DreamCricket.com has compiled complete stats for every player at the senior level and is providing this to fans so they can witness and analyze the data that each player was judged on. It includes all 23 senior players who represented USA during 2010 in 19 50-over and nine Twenty20 matches. While healthy debate is encouraged, please congratulate each and every award winner.

USA Cricket 2010 Stats Analysis

USA Batting Stats for 50-over matches

USA Bowling Stats for 50-over matches

USA Batting Stats for T20 matches

USA Bowling Stats for T20 matches