…all-rounder says cousin Blackwood a role model
By Clifton Ross
Former West Indies U-19 Captain Ramaal Lewis credits hard work as one of the key factors leading to his Guyana Jaguars franchise selection. He added that he’s assured the team’s professional structure can help his own cricket to develop nicely.
The Jamaica-born Lewis was drafted to the side ahead of the 2017/18 Regional Cricket season, which bowls off on October 26. The all-rounder sat down with Guyana Times Sport recently during one of the Jaguars’ weekly training sessions, and gave insight into his selection and goals, among other things.
Regarding his call-up to the side, Lewis said the experience was a joyous occasion, and one he’s keen on making the most of. “Well, I was always putting in the work, and I know hard works pays off, I was looking for something to happen, so I was really surprised to be called up for Guyana. But once you’re putting in the work, anything can happen,” he said.
With Guyana, the current 3-time Regional 4-Day champs and holders of a prestigious winning streak, the atmosphere is ideal for learning and developing one’s cricket while being able to train with a top calibre group of cricketers, the stylistic young Jamaican disclosed as he noted that he’s looking to improve as a batsman.
“The system here is great. The senior guys and coaches are always pushing the junior guys to do well; so I can certainly see my cricket developing here. I see the training programs are great and the senior guys are always pushing the junior guys to do extra work and reach their level; so when they reach on the field, they are all pulling their weight. So I see why they have been doing (well),” Lewis professed.
He added that his stint as West Indies U-19 skipper has not only helped him to understand the game on the field, but off the field also. He has since forged friendships with some of the younger players in the side, like Tagenarine Chanderpaul.
“I’ve known some of the guys from before captaining them at West Indies level, because we have been playing first-class cricket before. So there’s a lot of respect from me, so we’re like brothers, and I’m very comfortable here in the team,” he disclosed.
A former Jamaica U-19 player, Lewis acknowledged that with the structure of first-class cricket different across the Caribbean, it’s important for players to quickly adjust to the culture while still applying themselves as professionals.
“Well, in cricket the coaches do different things, so (I would) just have to come and adapt and try to do my best, when I have to”.
Changing a winning team, or even making the final cut for a winning team, is difficult for any new addition to a squad, especially when the players in the side have been instrumental in their team’s success for a long period of time. And while Lewis is aware of this, he still believes it’s important to keep working on his game so he’ll be ready should an opportunity arise.
“It’s a winning team (Guyana Jaguars) and you have guys that are doing well, so you want to keep a winning team. But it’s your team, and whether you play or not, you want them to do well. So it’s just about working hard and hope when you’re called upon you can do your best and do something special to help them win”, declared the right-hand batsman.
Guyana will be playing the opening match of the 4-Dayers against the Jamaican Scorpions at Providence, and the 21 year-old off-break spinner admitted that, should he feature in that game, it would be all business against his countrymen.
“It’s cricket, so every game I’m going out to do something special; and its franchise cricket, so your heart is nowhere and you just have to go out and play, because eventually we all might end up playing for West Indies. So it’s like one team”. He said.
Wrapping up his interview, the Westmoreland-born lad said he has been keeping himself active with club cricket and training around the national guys ever since the 2014 U-19 World Cup.
He singled out his cousin, West Indies Test batsman Jermaine Blackwood, as one of his mentors, and said he wishes to emulate him by playing for the West Indies someday.
“Since U-19, I’ve been playing for Westmorland Cricket Club and doing well for them. I also have been training with the contracted guys, and Jermaine Blackwood is my cousin, we live in the same house in Jamaica, and he’s inspired to play for the West Indies. Along with my mom, there have been pillars holding me up and believing in me”. Lewis ended.
