Lewis eager to break into Jaguars 4-Day team

– credits family-like atmosphere

By Clifton Ross

Guyana Jaguars off-break spinner Ramaal Lewis has said he’s gunning for a spot in the 4-Day team following outstanding 2018 Regional Super50 Championships’ performances with the ball.
The Jaguars franchise player ended with 13 victims, the second most for his team behind pacer Clinton Pestano (15), and 9th overall on the wicket-takers’ list. The 22-year-old told Guyana Times Sport on Friday that although he was aiming to end as the leading wicket taker, he was nevertheless satisfied with his returns.
“Yea, it was good. This is my second year of Super50, and 13 wickets — I would accept that. We had a couple of games rained out and so forth; but 13 wickets — the second most for Guyana — I would accept that anytime!” said the spinner.
Lewis formed a good slow-bowling attack with the veteran Veerasammy Permaul, and, as a result of the enormous talent in the side, the spinner said he felt pleased

at his consistency and form throughout the championships.
“It was a great feeling (picking up wickets regularly). It was my aim to come out with the most wickets as a spinner. I know spinners always pick up wickets in the Caribbean, so in my mind I just wanted to pick up the most wickets in the tournament, but I did manage to end in the top 10,” he added.
The Jaguars continued their decade-long chase to reclaim the Regional 50 Overs title, but unfortunately failed in the finals, losing to the CCC Marooners, who lifted the title for the first time in their existence.
Speaking about the Jags’ stellar run, Lewis said, “Well, I think it was good, we had a really tough group with Trinidad and defending champs Windward Islands, so we had to put some good scores on the board; and we did well all round, and it was a good performance by the entire team”.
An ex-West Indies U-15 and World Cup U-19 skipper, the Jamaica-born, who wants to play for the Windies senior team, currently has his sights firmly set on breaking into the Jaguars 4-Day team by virtue of performing well in the upcoming domestic 3-Day league.
“Well, for me, now I’m just looking forward to doing well in the local 3 Day

tournament to try and get in the 4-Day team this time around. I did well in the Super50, but that has passed and gone, so I just have to keep putting in the work, training hard and working on my game, and any opportunity comes around I’ll grab it with both hands”. The spinner stated.
Lewis believes the environment, which he dubbed as similar to that of a family, was possible because of the great relationship between the team and the coaching staff.
“The coaches shared some really good information. We had really good preparation before and during the tournament. They did some really good work, and everyone was feeling great. The coaching staff makes everyone feel good around each other, like a family,” he ended.