The Statsguru Awards are based purely on numbers from international matches in 2011. However, they go beyond the usual stats – runs scored, wickets taken, batting averages and such – and are based instead on detailed data analyses of performances. Which batsman played more consistently than any other over the entire year? Which batting pair was the most prolific through the year? Which bowler was at his best in the third and fourth innings of Tests? Read on to find out. (All ODI stats include performances against Test-playing sides only.)

BATSMAN OF THE YEAR
(cut-off: 700 runs each in Tests and ODIs)

Misbah-ul-Haq
Test average 69.54, ODI index 37.22, Total 106.76

The year 2011 was a fantastic one for Pakistan, and for their captain, Misbah-ul-Haq. In Tests he topped 50 eight times in 16 innings, and averaged 69.54; in ODIs he held Pakistan’s middle order together, scoring eight more half-centuries in 22 innings, and achieving an average of 55.06.

BOWLER OF THE YEAR
(cut-off: 30 wickets in Tests, 25 in ODIs)

Saeed Ajmal
Test average 23.86, ODI index 11.33, Total 35.19

Saeed Ajmal had an outstanding year in both forms of the game. In Tests he was the leading wicket-taker with 50 in eight, at an average of 23.86. In ODIs he was equally impressive with both his wicket-taking ability and his economy rate – 26 in 17 games at 19.53, conceding 3.48 runs per over. His ODI index (the product of average and runs conceded per ball) was an outstanding 11.33. Add his Test bowling average, and his total ODI score was 35.19. Graeme Swann, the winner of this prize last year, only managed an overall score of 47.75. Dale Steyn had a superb year too, but he fell short of the cut-offs, taking 28 wickets in Tests and 24 in ODIs.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/awards2011/content/story/554009.html