The California legspinner Patel is the first two-time winner of the award, having also claimed the honor for 2015.

By Peter Della Penna
 
For the seventh consecutive year, DreamCricket.com is recognizing USA’s standout performers at international level with the New Inning Foundation USA Cricket Awards.
 
The 2016 New Inning Foundation Bowler of the Year is Timil Patel. The California legspinner is the first two-time winner of the award, having also claimed the honor for 2015. The 34-year-old was the USA’s leading wicket-taker for the year with 20 wickets in nine matches during international competition.
 
Patel began by taking six wickets in three matches against Canada during the Auty Cup series in Los Angeles. But his impact was most acutely felt during ICC WCL Division Four later in October at his home ground in Woodley Park.
 
During WCL Division Four, Patel became the second USA bowler to claim two five-wicket hauls in the same ICC tournament, following Usman Shuja’s performance at 2008 ICC WCL Division Five in Jersey. The first came on the opening day of the tournament against Bermuda when he finished with 5 for 29 in just 7.3 overs to set up an eight-wicket win.
 
A much bigger statement was made against Oman when Patel took 5 for 22 in nine overs to set up another eight-wicket win. Along with Steven Taylor’s second innings century, Patel’s performance led to a massive net run rate advantage which helped USA advance to the final on the tournament tiebreaker. Patel then took another 3 for 38 in the final victory over Oman and finished tied for the tournament lead with 14 wickets at an average of 15.50.
 
In recognition of his achievement, Patel will receive a plaque as well as a $200 DreamCricket.com Pavillion Shop gift certificate sponsored by New Inning Foundation.