Twenty-three-year-old all-rounder, Ramaal Lewis, is keen on making the 2020 edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) his breakout season.
The former West Indies youth captain, turned out for Jamaica Tallawahs last year. He played seven matches and captured five wickets at an economy rate of 7.3 while boasting a strike rate of 138.2 with bat in hand.
Now, with the two-time champions retaining just four players ,the off-spinner will enter the draft to see which team he will turn out for in this year’s unique edition.
Stabroek Sport sat down with the Guyana Jaguars’ franchise player at his home yesterday as he revealed his vision for ‘the biggest party in sport’ and for enhancing his chances for selection in the senior West Indies side.
Amidst the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, organisers of the August 19 to September 26 event continue to push for the event to be staged.
Lewis told this publication, “right now the most important thing is everyone’s health and safety but if CPL does happen I think it will be a breakout season for me.”
Playing in the CPL is the dream for every young cricketer from the Caribbean and according to Lewis, the exposure has aided his development.
“It provided me with an opportunity to display my talents. The transition from youth to professional cricket is tough and sometimes you can get lost in the system so last year helped to show that I am still around and still a serious cricketer,” Lewis said.
He noted, “Young players like myself get the opportunity to see the best players in the world first hand; learn from them, see how they prepare, it helps me become a better professional.”
From his stint last season, the Jamaica-born player posited, “I’ve become more mature on and off the field. I’m making better decisions with fitness and diet and it’s paying off…my batting has developed over the years where I can strongly say I’m an all-rounder.”
In addition to his batting and bowling, Lewis is one of the more electrifying fielders in the region. Lewis is hopeful of making the final XI in all the matches and contribute meaningfully in all three areas of the game.
Despite most of the region being paralyzed by the pandemic, Lewis explained he has been getting in some fielding practice but has been unable to bowl and bat.
“I’ve been doing some online training with the Guyana Jaguars Franchise and beach fitness work with Rayon Griffith so I’m making the most of the time off to get better,” he stated.
He admitted that the dream of representing West Indies at the senior level keeps him motivated. “Yes I do see it as a chance to get selected for the senior West Indies team. I’ve seen players do well in the CPL and move on to play for West Indies,” he pointed out.
Lewis weighed in on some of the touted proposals of which the tournament could be played under in light of the pandemic.
He reflected, “The atmosphere is amazing especially in Trinidad, Guyana, and Jamaica… the fans really come out and that’s good to see because it shows cricket is still alive.”
He added, “right now the most important thing is safety, it’s disappointing to know we may not have fans but you have to adjust that’s what being a professional is all about.”
When asked about the impact the exclusion of overseas players from the tournament could have, Lewis saw the positive side of it and related, “The tournament is supposed to shine a light on new and upcoming talent and with no overseas players that will definitely happen.”
