Why was Lewis the best option?

Asks Delvon McEwan

On Friday, Cricket West Indies hosted in Jamaica the players’ draft for the fourth edition of the Regional four-day League, the Professional Cricket League.
At the draft, the six regional first class franchises were allowed to bid for five players to add to the 10 that were retained from the previous season, to make up a squad of 15.
Guyana Jaguars, three-time champions, also had the option of strengthening their unit, which they did with two batsmen (an opener and a middle order batsman), two all-rounders and a wicketkeeper-batsman.
Those players are discarded West Indies Test batsman Rajendra Chandrika and four former West Indies Under-19 players; namely former West Indies Under-19 skipper Ramaal Lewis from Jamaica, who bowls off spin and is a handy batsman; all-rounder Steven Jacobs, middle order batsman Chandrapaul Hemraj, and wicketkeeper-batsman Tevin Imlach.
However, ever since Lewis was drafted, there have been questions regarding his presence in the Jaguars’ line-up for the 2017/2018 season.
But first, here is a look at the 10 retained by the Jaguars: Leon Johnson, Assad Fudadin, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Gudakesh Motie, Romario Shepherd, Keemo Paul, Anthony Bramble, Keon Joseph and Raymond Reifer.
Prior to the draft, there was no hint by the very secretive Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) regarding which department they will be looking to boost, but Lewis’s selection has been a major surprise, especially with the amount of spinners available locally. Eon Hooper and Jacobs are off-spinners with first class experience; Gajanan Suknanan and Ritchie Looknauth are off-spinners without first class experience but are knocking on the door of the selectors. This leaves only left-arm spinners Veerasammy Permaul, Gudakesh Motie and Anthony Adams, and leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo.
The GCB selectors are probably confident that the local spinners would be engaged in duties for the West Indies ‘A’ and senior teams, so they are providing early cover. Maybe that is the case, otherwise Lewis’s stint here could be irrelevant to the Jaguars but meaningful to his development.
Or do they have precious little, if any, faith in our local spinners? Could the GCB tell the cricketing fraternity the importance of Lewis’s selection?
Nevertheless, Guyana Times Sport would love to wish the young man all the best during his stint with the Guyana Jaguars. Be strong as you look to progress as a professional.