USA Cricketer : USA cricket awards

USA Cricket: Steven Taylor to play in Sanath Jayasuriya's World XI vs. Pakistan All-Stars in Karachi

openingbat — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 10:24:00 GMT

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By Peter Della Penna (on Twitter)

USA opening batsman Steven Taylor has been selected to be a part of a World XI team captained by former Sri Lanka star Sanath Jayasuriya against a Pakistan All-Star XI in a pair of exhibition matches this weekend in Karachi, Pakistan. The 18-year-old Florida native confirmed his participation in the event via text message on Monday prior to boarding a flight for Pakistan.

Taylor was named the 2011 Cricketer of the Year in DreamCricket.com’s New Inning Foundation USA Cricket Awards. The menacing left-hander was USA’s vice-captain at the 2011 ICC U-19 World Cup Qualifier in Ireland where he finished tied for second overall at the event with 455 runs including two centuries. He is the only American player in the 12-man World XI squad for the matches which will be played at the National Stadium in Karachi on October 20 and 21.

Image (right) - Steven Taylor in action vs. Denmark at 2012 ICC WCL Division Four in Malaysia. [Courtesy: Peter Della Penna/DreamCricket.com]

At the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier in the UAE, Taylor was USA’s second most productive batsman with 179 runs at the tournament. His best score was 40 in USA’s upset win over ODI-nation Scotland. In August, he captained the ICC Americas U-19 team in Barbados at the West Indies Cricket Board Regional U-19 Tournament, making a top score of 75 against Barbados U-19. At ICC World Cricket League Division Four last month in Malaysia, he finished second overall at the tournament with 216 runs at an average of 36.00 including two half-centuries for USA at a strike rate of 104.85.

In addition to Taylor, former West Indies Test bowlers Adam Sanford and Jermaine Lawson, who played for the New York and Atlantic Regions respectively in USACA National Tournaments in 2010, are also in the World XI as is former West Indies international Ricardo Powell, former South African internationals Justin Kemp, Loots Bosman, Nantie Hayward and Andre Nel and current Afghanistan players Shapoor Zadran and Mohammad Shahzad.

The Pakistan All-Star XI will be captained by Shahid Afridi and includes seven other players from Pakistan’s 2012 ICC World Twenty20 squad: Nasir Jamshed, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Umar Gul, Imran Nazir, Asad Shafiq and Mohammad Sami. Also in the Pakistan All-Star XI squad is Younis Khan, who has played 79 Tests and was the title-winning captain for Pakistan at the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 in England.

The matches are being staged in an attempt to help revive international tours to Pakistan. No Test playing nation has toured the country since the Sri Lanka team bus was the target of a terrorist attack on the way to the Gaddafi Stadium for day three of a Test match in Lahore on March 3, 2009.

2010 Radiant Info USA Cricket Awards: Cricketer of the Year - Aditya Thyagarajan

openingbat — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 14:33:00 GMT

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By Peter Della Penna

DreamCricket.com is wrapping up the year in United States Cricket by recognizing USA’s standout performers at the international level. The 2010 Radiant Info USA Cricketer of the Year is Aditya Thyagarajan.

It may be hard to remember for most people, but Thyagarajan was left out of the starting XI for USA’s first match of the year at the World Twenty20 Qualifier in the UAE against Scotland. After a mediocre set of performances in USA’s warm-up matches, he was forced to sit on the sidelines.

Taking it in stride, he returned for USA’s second match against Ireland and scored 72 not out against the most dominant Associate level team of the last five years. He never looked back after that innings and went on to become USA’s leading scorer of the year.

Thyagarajan is not the flashiest or the most devastating batsman on USA’s senior team. But in 2010, his efficiency made him USA’s most valuable player. Of course, nobody in the USA plays the late cut better than Thyagarajan.

Stationed in the middle order, he was literally and figuratively the fulcrum of USA’s batting lineup. For a significant amount of USA’s games, success or failure depended upon the support and stability Thyagarajan provided to get his team out of trouble.

Just as important as his efficiency was his consistency. Rarely did he fail to perform. Whether he came in with 10 overs or 30 overs left to bat, Thyagarajan manufactured runs to keep the scoreboard ticking, taking pressure off him and his teammates and throwing it back onto the opposition.

Not only is he a steady performer for the national team, Thyagarajan also scores plenty of runs playing league cricket for Hollywood CC as well as for the South West Region at USACA tournaments. While the opponents may change, the approach and results remain the same for Thyagarajan.

In 2010, the results were mighty impressive too. In nineteen 50-over matches he scored 612 runs and contributed 150 more in seven Twenty20 contests. He had the top average for USA in Twenty20s with 30.00 and was second in 50-over games with 55.64. He led USA with two centuries and produced USA’s highest score of the year in both 50-over and Twenty20 cricket.

Not only were his stats impressive, but the situations in which he delivered them made them even more special. When all the elements of his performances for USA are taken into account, he became an easy choice for the 2010 Radiant Info Cricketer of the Year.

In recognition of his achievement, Thyagarajan will receive a plaque as well as a $250 gift certificate sponsored by the New Inning Foundation, DreamCricket.com and Radiant Info.

Click here to read > How Aditya turned it around with a little help

About the Radiant Info USA Cricket Awards

2010 Radiant Info USA Cricket Awards: Junior Cricketer of the Year - Saqib Saleem

openingbat — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 15:42:00 GMT

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By Peter Della Penna

DreamCricket.com is wrapping up the year in United States Cricket by recognizing USA’s standout performers at the international level. The 2010 Radiant Info Junior Cricketer of the Year is Saqib Saleem.

Junior cricket in America received a big boost of confidence when USA’s U-19 team qualified for the 2010 ICC U-19 World Cup in New Zealand. It was only the second time in history that USA had qualified for a World Cup at any level of cricket.

Through his performances in Canada at the U-19 World Cup Qualifier, Saleem was a major reason why USA was able to get to New Zealand. When he arrived in Queenstown, Saleem picked up right where he left off, producing a series of impressive bowling performances and when given an opportunity, solid contributions with the bat.

He finished as USA’s leading wicket-taker at the U-19 World Cup, taking 10 in six games, twice as many wickets as his next best teammate. The leg-spinner's 10 wickets were also good enough to tie for 9^th overall in the tournament and he took them at an average of 14.50. His best performance was in a match reduced to 41 overs against Zimbabwe where he took 4 for 38 in a tough 5-wicket loss.

With the bat, he finished fifth on USA in runs scored at the event. His best effort was 62 against Ireland, the fourth highest score ever produced in a single innings by a USA player at the U-19 World Cup.

In recognition of his achievement, Saleem will receive a plaque as well as a $250 gift certificate sponsored by the New Inning Foundation, DreamCricket.com and Radiant Info.

About the Radiant Info USA Cricket Awards

2010 Radiant Info USA Cricket Awards: Women's Cricketer of the Year - Indomatie Goordial-John

openingbat — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 14:05:00 GMT

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By Peter Della Penna

DreamCricket.com is wrapping up the year in United States Cricket by recognizing USA’s standout performers at the international level. The 2010 Radiant Info Women’s Cricketer of the Year is Indomatie Goordial-John.

Women’s cricket is fairly new to the American cricket landscape, but in just two years, USA has managed to establish itself as a dominant presence within the Americas Region. Indomatie Goordial-John was a major part of that dominance in 2010.

Goordial-John was the tournament MVP for her title-winning North East team at the USACA Women’s National Tournament last June in Cupertino, Calif. She was the leading scorer at the event, which included a top score of 75 against the Western Chargers.

She represented USA against Canada in Toronto in a three-match 50-over series to determine who would go on to represent the Americas Region at the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier in Bangladesh next November. Goordial-John was the leading scorer in the series with 119 runs, including a top score of 83, to lead USA to a sweep over Canada and clinch a spot at the Women’s World Cup Qualifier in Bangladesh.

Goordial-John also created suffocating pressure in the field with her off-spin. She took 2 for 37 in 22 overs during the three matches, never giving the opposition room to breathe. The player-coach just about did it all for the national team.

In recognition of her achievement, Goordial-John will receive a plaque as well as a $250 gift certificate sponsored by the New Inning Foundation, DreamCricket.com and Radiant Info. [Pic Courtesy: ICC - Bryan Vandenberg]

About the Radiant Info USA Cricket Awards

2010 Radiant Info USA Cricket Awards: Bowler of the Year - Kevin Darlington

openingbat — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 13:53:00 GMT

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By Peter Della Penna

DreamCricket.com is wrapping up the year in United States Cricket by recognizing USA’s standout performers at the international level. The 2010 Radiant Info Bowler of the Year is Kevin Darlington.

Even though he only appeared in three tournaments for USA in 2010, Darlington’s effect on the team was immense. He was a huge reason why USA was able to advance from Division Five to Division Three of the ICC World Cricket League.

At ICC WCL Division Five in Nepal, Darlington was the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, an impressive feat for a fast bowler considering the tournament was played on dusty and spinning pitches. In fact, the next seven men after him on the list for most wickets were all spin bowlers. Darlington took 14 in six games at an average of 15.21.

Statistically, his best bowling return was 4 for 65 in a loss to Singapore. But his best performance overall was his menacing display in a must-win round-robin match against Nepal. Darlington took two of the first three wickets to fall to set the hosts back at 16 for 3. He kept the pressure on and helped restrict Nepal to 162 by finishing with 3 for 23 in 10 overs with four maidens as USA chased the target to win by 5 wickets.

At WCL Division Four in Italy, Darlington was just as effective, taking 10 wickets in six games at an average of 16.20. Two of his best performances came against USA’s two toughest opponents. Playing for the third time in three days, Darlington looked plenty fit while he tied down one end against Nepal, taking 1 for 17 in nine overs with two maidens. His pressure allowed Usman Shuja to attack successfully from the other end as USA won by 55 runs. In the tournament final against Italy, Darlington finished with 2 for 27 in 10 overs with two maidens to help USA win the Division Four title.

For the year, Darlington averaged two wickets per game in 50-over matches, finishing with 24 in 12 contests at an average of 15.63. He was the leading wicket-taker in the format for USA, beating Lennox Cush by one wicket even though Cush played in six more games than Darlington.

In recognition of his achievement, Darlington will receive a plaque as well as a $250 gift certificate sponsored by the New Inning Foundation, DreamCricket.com and Radiant Info.

About the Radiant Info USA Cricket Awards

2010 Radiant Info USA Cricket Awards: Batsman of the Year - Aditya Thyagarajan

openingbat — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 13:41:00 GMT

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By Peter Della Penna

DreamCricket.com is wrapping up the year in United States Cricket by recognizing USA’s standout performers at the international level. The 2010 Radiant Info Batsman of the Year is Aditya Thyagarajan.

The middle order batsman was USA’s highest scorer in 2010 with 612 runs in 19 50-over matches at an average of 55.64 and scored 762 runs overall. He turned in USA’s highest individual scores of the year in both the 50-over and Twenty20 formats. Against Argentina at the ICC Americas Division One Tournament in Bermuda, he scored his maiden century for USA, finishing with 159 in 119 balls, smashing 21 fours and three sixes. In his very first match of the year against Ireland at the World Twenty20 Qualifier in Dubai, Thyagarajan posted 72 not out to give USA a measure of respectability in a heavy defeat.

Thyagarajan was a consistent producer throughout the year for the national team, always at or near the top of the run charts in every tournament USA participated in. He was USA’s third-highest scorer at WCL Division Five, WCL Division Four and the Twenty20 portion of the ICC Americas Division One; USA’s second-best scorer at the World Twenty20 Qualifier behind Carl Wright; and USA’s leading scorer in the 50-over competition of the ICC Americas Division One.

However, Thyagarajan was best known for being “The Iceman” and coming through in the clutch for USA. Among his more memorable performances under pressure were his 83 not out against Jersey and 18 not out against Nepal in the round-robin stage at WCL Division Five, his 27 not out against Canada in the final of the ICC Americas Division One Twenty20 and his 102 not out against Argentina at WCL Division Four.

Statistically, Thyagarajan was the most prolific batsman for USA in 2010. More importantly, he was the best when it mattered most.

In recognition of his achievement, Thyagarajan will receive a plaque as well as a $250 gift certificate sponsored by the New Inning Foundation, DreamCricket.com and Radiant Info.

About the Radiant Info USA Cricket Awards

2010 Radiant Info USA Cricket Awards: Comeback Player of the Year - Sushil Nadkarni

openingbat — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 02:57:00 GMT

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By Peter Della Penna

DreamCricket.com is wrapping up the year in United States Cricket by recognizing USA’s standout performers at the international level. The 2010 Radiant Info Comeback Player of the Year is Sushil Nadkarni.

Pic (Right): Sushil Nadkarni top-scored against Tanzania with 68 not out including three boundaries and eight sixes. [File photo]

On August 1, 2009, Nadkarni suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon playing for the Central West Region at the Western Conference Tournament in Minneapolis, Minn. It typically takes at least six to nine months to completely rehabilitate such an injury. With USA scheduled to participate in two major tournaments early in 2010, he was in a race against time to be healthy enough to participate.

Nadkarni was rushed back into USA’s squad for the February tour to the UAE and Nepal, but it was clear he was not 100% fit. He struggled throughout the tour, but repaid the team’s faith in him with a heroic 57 not out in a must-win game to lead USA to a 5-wicket win over Nepal at ICC WCL Division Five, guaranteeing the team qualification to Division Four.

Once he returned to full fitness, Nadkarni was a menace to the opposition. At the ICC Americas Division One tournament in Bermuda during May and June, he scored USA’s quickest century of the year, notching 101 not out in 54 balls in a 10-wicket win over Cayman Islands.

In August, Nadkarni collected three Man of the Match awards at ICC WCL Division Four before taking away the award for Player of the Tournament as USA defeated host team Italy in the final to win the event. Nadkarni was the leading scorer for USA in Italy with 216 runs and finished third overall in the tournament.

In 2010, he averaged 59.11 in 14 innings for USA in 50-over matches, the highest average for USA during the year. He also finished third overall in total runs in 50-over matches for USA with 532 in 2010. The figures would be remarkable for any player, but especially one coming off a career-threatening injury. However, Nadkarni is arguably now fitter than ever and his performances in 2010 have made his comeback truly special.

In recognition of his achievement, Nadkarni will receive a plaque as well as a $250 gift certificate sponsored by the New Inning Foundation, DreamCricket.com and Radiant Info.

About the Radiant Info Cricket Awards

2010 Radiant Info USA Cricket Awards: Individual Performance of the Year - Lennox Cush

openingbat — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 02:47:00 GMT

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By Peter Della Penna

DreamCricket.com is wrapping up the year in United States Cricket by recognizing USA’s standout performers at the international level. The 2010 Radiant Info Individual Performance of the Year belongs to Lennox Cush for his 55-ball century against Italy in the final of ICC World Cricket League Division Four played in Bologna, Italy.

Pic (Right): Lennox Cush will receive a plaque and $250 gift certificate courtesy of New Inning Foundation, DreamCricket.com and Radiant Info for his merciless 55-ball century against Italy. [File photo]

There were many brilliant solo efforts produced by USA players in 2010. Sushil Nadkarni scored a record 54-ball century against Cayman Islands in Bermuda. Aditya Thyagarajan posted the year’s highest score with 159 against Argentina in Bermuda. Thyagarajan and Rashard Marshall also scored vitally important centuries when USA was in trouble against Argentina in Italy. However, Cush’s performance tops them all because it came in a tournament final against a team that had previously beaten USA in the same event.

In USA’s first match against Italy at WCL Division Four, they were knocked back by the hosts, who posted a total of 212 batting first on their way to a convincing 51-run victory over the visitors. USA was aiming for revenge in a rematch at the final three days later. Batting first again, Italy was restricted to 185 in the final, but it still seemed that the match was evenly balanced especially after the way their bowlers performed in the round-robin contest.

Enter Cush, who was promoted up the order from his usual spot at number four to open USA’s chase in aggressive fashion, which is an understatement to say the least. Cush showed no respect and no mercy to Italy’s bowlers, tearing into them for 14 fours and four sixes, before he eventually departed for 101.

USA had been bowled out for 161 in 41.2 overs in their first matchup versus Italy. In round two, USA won by 8 wickets as they finished 188 for 2 in 21.4 overs, a stark contrast to how things ended up three days prior. USA’s dramatic turnaround was due in large part to Cush. He was an easy choice for Man of the Match in the Division Four final.

In recognition of his achievement, Cush will receive a plaque as well as a $250 gift certificate sponsored by the New Inning Foundation, DreamCricket.com and Radiant Info.

About the Radiant Info Cricket Awards

2010 Radiant Info USA Cricket Awards: Newcomer of the Year - Muhammad Ghous

openingbat — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 01:53:00 GMT

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By Peter Della Penna

DreamCricket.com is wrapping up the year in United States Cricket by recognizing USA’s standout performers at the international level. The 2010 Radiant Info Newcomer of the Year is 20-year-old off-spin bowler Muhammad Ghous.

Pic (Right): Muhammad Ghous will receive a plaque and a $250 gift certificate courtesy of New Inning Foundation and Radiant Info

Ghous had been building a strong profile in 2009 for his performances while helping the USA U-19 team qualify for the 2010 U-19 World Cup in New Zealand.

While he won the Tournament MVP award at the 2009 U-19 National Tournament after leading the tournament in runs scored for the Atlantic Region, it was his bowling that really came on strong in Canada and New Zealand.

After coming back from New Zealand, Ghous participated at selection trials in New York in April in an effort to make the squad that would be going to Bermuda in May for the ICC Americas Division One tournament. Ghous did enough to impress and wound up making his debut for USA before the tour of Bermuda against Jamaica when he took 2 for 42 in Florida and he never looked back.

His best figures came against Tanzania at ICC World Cricket League Division Four in Italy where he took 4 for 15 in a 10-wicket win. He was instrumental throughout that tournament in helping USA win the Division Four title.

Ghous finished the year as USA’s third highest wicket taker with 21 in 15 matches. He took five wickets in as many Twenty20 matches while he took 16 wickets in 10 50-over games. He was also USA’s most economical bowler of the year in 50-over matches, giving up 2.87 runs per over in 90 overs bowled.

The future is bright for Ghous and he is one player USA will be expecting to build around for the next several years. As a newcomer to USA’s senior squad, he stepped up to the challenge and always managed to come through for his team and country.

In recognition of his achievement, Ghous will receive a plaque as well as a $250 gift certificate sponsored by the New Inning Foundation, DreamCricket.com and Radiant Info.

DreamCricket.com announces Radiant Info USA Cricket Awards

openingbat — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 04:17:00 GMT

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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