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Chris Lewis (cricketer)
Chris Lewis (cricketer)
from Wikipedia

Clairmonte Christopher Lewis (born 14 February 1968[1])[2] is an English former cricketer, who played for Nottinghamshire, Surrey and Leicestershire in the 1990s. He played in 32 Test matches and 53 One Day Internationals (ODIs) for England between 1990 and 1998. He was a part of the English squad which finished as runners-up at the 1992 Cricket World Cup.

Key Information

Lewis was regarded as an aggressive lower-order batsman, fine fast-medium bowler and an able all-round fielder. He was regarded as a colourful player of the game, who never quite lived up to his early potential.[2] He was later convicted of drug smuggling.

International career

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Lewis was drafted into the England squad to tour the West Indies in 1990 when Ricardo Ellcock pulled out through injury,[3] making his one-day international debut during the tour. He made his Test debut the following summer against New Zealand.[4]

He pulled out of England's disappointing tour of Australia the following winter after only one Test, but made an instant impact on his return to the Test team against the West Indies at Birmingham in 1991, taking 6 for 111 (which remained his best Test bowling figures) and scoring 65 (his first Test half-century) batting at no.10.[5] That winter he helped England to a series victory in New Zealand, scoring 70 in the first Test,[6] and taking 5 for 31 in the second.[7] He then helped England to the final of 1992 Cricket World Cup, highlights coming when he won the man of the match awards in wins against the West Indies (where his wickets included Brian Lara),[8] and Sri Lanka, where he took his best one-day international bowling, 4 for 30.[9] Only player of the tournament Martin Crowe won more man of the match awards in the tournament.[10] However, England lost the final, Lewis being dismissed first-ball by Wasim Akram.[11]

His first Test century,[12] in Madras on the occasion of his 25th birthday, on England's 1993 tour of India, gave hope for a bright international future.[2] However England lost all their four Tests that winter, Lewis was dropped after the Lord's test against Australia in 1993, and this remained his only Test century.

Lewis was labelled "The Prat without a Hat" by The Sun, after he was forced to pull out of the first match of England's tour of the West Indies in 1994 with sunstroke after enlisting Devon Malcolm's help to shave his head to raise money for Children in Need, and then not wearing any protection.[13] According to Martin Williamson, this Sun headline "came to haunt Lewis for the remainder of his career".[14] Nonetheless, uniquely among England's bowlers on the tour he did appear in all five matches in the Test series against the West Indies, taking seven wickets to bowl England to the brink of a winning position in the third Test at Trinidad before England's batsmen collapsed to a devastating spell from Curtly Ambrose.[15] To Lewis fell the dubious honour of bowling when Lara broke Garfield Sobers' record for the highest individual Test score in the final Test of the series at Antigua,[16] although Lewis also made an unbeaten 75 as England drew the match.[17] However, he was then dropped from the Test team, though continuing to appear in some one-day internationals and featuring in the England side which won the Hong Kong Sixes in 1994.[18] He was recalled to the Test side as an injury replacement the following winter during the 1994-95 Ashes, taking 4 for 24 as England won an unexpected victory in the fourth Test at Adelaide,[19] but after the next Test was dropped again.

He was recalled for the Birmingham test in 1996, taking his third Test five-wicket haul as England beat India,[20] but was dropped again at the end of the summer, and thereafter only played two more one-day internationals. His international career ended in 1998.[14]

In the run-up to the 1999 Cricket World Cup, England national coach David Lloyd and captain Alec Stewart requested Lewis's inclusion in the team owing to his skill with the new ball, but were refused permission to choose him by the selectors, due to concerns about Lewis's behaviour.[21]

Domestic career

[edit]

Lewis had a nomadic county career, starting with Leicestershire before moving to Nottinghamshire. In 1996 he moved to Surrey, and in 1998 returned to Leicestershire. Highlights included winning the 1997 Benson & Hedges Cup with Surrey,[22] and winning the 1998 County Championship with Leicestershire. During the latter campaign, he captained Leicestershire in a number of their matches.[23]

Lewis always felt he was driven out of county cricket after alleging that three England teammates had taken bribes to throw matches (a charge that was never substantiated).

In 2006, he captained Clifton Cricket Club, in the Central Lancashire Cricket League, where he opened the batting and the bowling. In his spare time, he also coached children in Berkshire.

He played four games for Stockton in the Newcastle District Cricket Association in 2007/08.[24]

In 2008, Lewis re-signed for Twenty20 matches for Surrey, in light of his bowling experience.[25] However, his comeback was short and unsuccessful. He played one Friends Provident Trophy game, in which he conceded 51 runs in six overs, and one Twenty20 match. He took no wickets in either.[26]

Post-Retirement Life

[edit]

Following his retirement, Lewis worked as a cricket coach, and also worked for the local council in Nottinghamshire.[27]

On 8 December 2008, Lewis was arrested at Gatwick Airport on suspicion of smuggling 3.37 kilograms of liquid cocaine, with a street value of about £140,000, into the United Kingdom on a flight from Saint Lucia. Lewis claimed that he was returning from holiday in St Lucia and that the drugs had been planted in his luggage by a third party.[28] After a trial at Croydon Crown Court, on 20 May 2009 Lewis and his accomplice, basketball player Chad Kirnon, were found guilty and sentenced to 13 years in prison.[29][30] He was released in June 2015 after serving six years of his sentence at HMP High Down.[31]

Following his release, Lewis worked with the PCA, teaching players to plan for the future. He released a biography about his experiences (Crazy: My Road to Redemption), and was also the subject of a play (The Long Walk Back) about his time in prison. Lewis also works as a motivational speaker.[32][33]

References

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from Grokipedia
Clairmonte Christopher Lewis (born 14 February 1968) is a former cricketer who played as a right-arm fast-medium bowler and lower-order right-handed batsman, representing in 32 Test matches and 53 One Day Internationals from 1990 to 1998. Born in , Lewis moved to as a child and developed his skills at Willesden High School before being signed by at age 17 in 1987, where he earned his in 1990. He later played for from 1992 to 1995, earning a cap in 1994, and from 1996 to 1997 and in 2008, where he contributed to their win in 1997 and Sunday League title in 1996. In his international career, Lewis made his ODI debut against the in 1990 and Test debut against in 1990, opening the bowling in the 1992 final and achieving his sole Test century of 117 against in in 1993. His first-class career spanned from 1987 to 2008, yielding a of 30.73 and of 29.88 across 189 matches, highlighting his status as a genuine despite frequent drops from the side. Lewis's career was marked by athletic fielding and pace but also by off-field incidents, including forgetting his passport for a flight to in 1990 and arriving late for national duty on multiple occasions, contributing to his reputation as an unfulfilled talent. After retiring, he faced significant personal challenges, including a 2009 conviction for attempting to smuggle into the , for which he served over six years in prison following his arrest in 2008. Upon release, Lewis authored the Crazy: My Road to Redemption in 2017, detailing his cricketing journey and struggles, and has since engaged in coaching through the Chris Lewis Academy and motivational speaking as one of the Caribbean-born players to represent .

Early life

Birth and upbringing in Guyana

Clairmonte Christopher Lewis, known by the nickname "Carl," was born on 14 February 1968 in Georgetown, , . Standing at 188 cm (6 ft 2 in), he is a right-handed batsman and right-arm fast-medium bowler by playing style. Lewis grew up in a family where his father worked as a Baptist preacher, which shaped aspects of his early environment in . His childhood on the east coast of was described by Lewis himself as extremely happy, reflecting a stable and positive formative period before the family relocated to when he was 10 years old. While specific details on siblings or additional parental occupations are not widely documented, Lewis's early years in provided the cultural foundation for his later life, with no recorded formal involvement in during this time; his exposure to the sport began after .

Immigration to England and early development

At the age of 10, in 1978, Chris Lewis moved from to with his family to join his father, who had already relocated there for better opportunities. Settling in , Lewis faced the challenges of adapting to a new culture and environment, particularly after his parents separated shortly after the move, leaving him to be raised primarily by his mother and grandmother in a strict, religious household influenced by his father's background as a . This period of transition involved navigating community integration as a young immigrant, where he often felt like an outsider amid the multicultural dynamics of urban . Lewis attended Willesden High School in North West London, a comprehensive known for its strong sports program that nurtured several future athletes, including fellow cricketer , whom he met there, as well as footballer and goalkeeper . At school, he prioritized physical activities over academics, excelling in multiple sports and beginning to channel his energy into , which provided a sense of belonging and purpose in his new surroundings. His early involvement in started informally through school teams, where his natural athleticism—marked by speed, coordination, and competitiveness—began to emerge, helping him build confidence despite the cultural adjustments. As a teenager, Lewis progressed to local club cricket in London, initially self-taught and learning through trial and error after early experiences where he was "smashed around" in matches. His all-rounder talents became evident during these outings: a right-arm fast-medium bowler with pace and swing, a hard-hitting lower-order batsman, and an agile fielder, particularly sharp in the covers. A pivotal moment came when he was spotted by former England bowler and Leicestershire scout Ken Higgs during a match at Lord's, who recognized his raw potential and provided initial guidance that honed his skills before any professional contract. This mentorship, combined with his school and club experiences, laid the foundation for his development as a promising young cricketer in England's domestic system.

Domestic career

Leicestershire years (1987–1991, 1998–2000)

Chris Lewis made his professional debut for in June 1987 at the age of 19, marking the start of his entry into first-class and as a promising . His initial stint with the county from 1987 to 1991 saw him develop as a right-arm fast-medium bowler and middle-order batsman, contributing to the team's efforts in the and . During this period, Lewis played in both formats, honing his skills alongside established players and establishing himself as a versatile contributor capable of impactful bowling spells and useful runs lower down the order. After spells with other counties, Lewis returned to in 1998 as , bringing experience from his international career to bolster the side. In the 1998 season, he captained the team in over half of their matches, providing leadership during a triumphant campaign that culminated in Leicestershire's second title in three years. His all-round contributions were pivotal, including sensational fielding in the and disciplined that supported the attack led by players like . Lewis's return helped stabilize the batting and added depth to the , with notable performances such as half-centuries in rescue efforts during limited-overs games. Throughout his two periods with (1987–1991 and 1998–2000), Lewis featured in numerous first-class and List A matches, amassing runs and wickets that underscored his role as a key team player. His overall domestic statistics reflect a around 30 and near 28 across 189 first-class games, with significant portions tied to his tenures where he formed important partnerships and delivered match-turning spells. The 1998 title win highlighted his growth into a figure, contributing to the county's success against more resourced opponents.

Nottinghamshire and Surrey stints (1992–1997, 2008)

Lewis transferred to ahead of the 1992 season, a major coup for the county given his emerging status as an England international in both Test and One-Day formats. Over four seasons with the club from 1992 to 1995, he featured in 37 first-class matches, capturing 127 wickets while amassing 2,256 runs at an average of 47, demonstrating his value as a versatile . In for , he played 41 matches, scoring 802 runs and securing 49 wickets. His standout year came in 1994, when he earned his county cap and delivered a career-best domestic performance with 881 runs at 58.73 and 46 wickets at 23.52, also winning The Cricket Society Wetherall Award for the fastest scorer that season. However, Lewis's time at Nottinghamshire was hampered by recurring injuries, including a hip issue that sidelined him for much of the 1995 season and contributed to a condition known as Raynaud's phenomenon affecting his circulation. These problems, combined with his desire to relocate closer to for family reasons, led to the termination of his contract that year. Seeking a fresh start, Lewis joined in 1996, where he quickly received his county cap and contributed to the team's success in limited-overs cricket. In first-class matches that season, he played 14 games, scoring 639 runs at an average of 31.95, including four half-centuries with a highest of 94, helping secure the Sunday League title. The following year, his first-class output dipped to 389 runs at 22.88 across 13 matches, with one half-century of 76, amid ongoing form inconsistencies linked to prior injuries. Nonetheless, he played a pivotal role in 's 1997 victory, taking 3-39 in the final against at and stepping in to captain the side for several matches when regular leaders were unavailable. After an eight-year absence from professional due to persistent hip troubles that ultimately forced his retirement in 2000, Lewis staged a brief comeback with in 2008 on a pay-as-you-play contract specifically for the Cup. At age 40, he appeared in just one T20 match, scoring 2 runs while conceding 29 without taking a , as a re-aggravated hip injury curtailed any further involvement and rendered the return unsuccessful.

Key domestic achievements and statistics

Chris Lewis enjoyed a distinguished domestic career in English county cricket spanning from 1987 to 2008, primarily as a versatile all-rounder capable of contributing significantly with both bat and ball in first-class and List A formats. His ability to swing the ball effectively at medium-fast pace, combined with aggressive lower-order batting, made him a valuable asset across multiple counties, where he amassed over 11,000 runs and 850 wickets in domestic competitions. Among his key achievements, Lewis played a pivotal role in Surrey's 1996 National League (Sunday League) victory, contributing 28 wickets at an average of 19.21 during the campaign, and their subsequent 1997 Benson & Hedges Cup triumph, where he took 14 wickets in the tournament at 18.50. Returning to Leicestershire, he served as acting captain for much of the 1998 season, helping the side secure their first and only County Championship title that year, with personal figures of 1,112 runs at 37.06 and 45 wickets at 27.91. Lewis's domestic statistical legacy underscores his all-round prowess. In , he featured in 189 matches, scoring 7,406 runs at an average of 30.73 with a highest score of 247, while claiming 543 wickets at 29.88. In across 266 matches, he accumulated 3,959 runs at 24.59 (highest 116 ) and took 312 wickets at 26.38.
FormatMatchesRunsBatting AvgWicketsBowling AvgBest BattingBest Bowling
First-class1897,40630.7354329.882476-22
List A2663,95924.5931226.38116*5-19
Standout individual performances include his highest first-class score of 247 for against Durham in 1993, one of nine centuries he scored domestically, and his best bowling figures of 6-22 for versus in 1989. Seasonally, his 1994 stint at was particularly notable, topping the county's 58.73) and 23.52) averages with 46 wickets. These contributions highlight Lewis's impact as a consistent performer in the competitive landscape of English domestic .

International career

Test cricket (1990–1996)

Chris Lewis made his Test debut for against at in July 1990, scoring 32 runs in the first and claiming 3 wickets for 76 runs in the second during 's 114-run victory. Over the next six years, he established himself as a genuine , capable of contributing with both bat and ball as a right-handed batsman and right-arm fast-medium bowler. In 32 matches between 1990 and 1996, Lewis scored 1,105 runs at an average of 23.02, including one century and four half-centuries, with a highest score of 117; he also took 93 wickets at an average of 37.53, achieving three five-wicket hauls and a career-best figure of 6/111. One of Lewis's standout performances came during England's 1992–93 tour of , where he scored his maiden century in the second match at from 11 to 15 February 1993, encompassing his 25th birthday. Batting at number seven, he made 117 runs off 140 balls, including 15 fours and two sixes, in England's second innings of 252, but won by an innings and 22 runs. With the ball on that tour, he took 10 wickets across three at an average of 36.10, showcasing his utility in subcontinental conditions despite England's 0–3 series defeat. Lewis's best bowling return occurred in the 1991 series against , where he took 6 for 111 in the fourth at , as won by 7 wickets and earning praise for his pace and swing in helpful conditions. He recorded two more five-wicket hauls later in his career, including 5/72 against at in June 1996, though his international form remained inconsistent, leading to frequent drops and recalls. His final appearance was against at in August 1996, where he took 1/71 from 23 overs in Pakistan's first innings, marking the end of his career at age 28, as won by 9 wickets.

One Day International cricket (1990–1998)

Chris Lewis made his (ODI) debut for on 14 February 1990 against at , , where he bowled 10 overs for 41 runs without taking a and scored 1 run in a match with no result due to rain. Over the course of his ODI career from 1990 to 1998, Lewis played 53 matches, capturing 66 wickets at an average of 29.42 with best figures of 4/30, while contributing 374 runs at an average of 14.38, his highest score being 33. He also took 20 catches, showcasing his athletic fielding abilities in . As a , Lewis provided with seam-bowling options at fast-medium pace and explosive lower-order batting, often proving useful in tight chases or defending totals. A highlight of Lewis's ODI career came during the 1992 Benson & Hedges World Cup in and , where he featured in all nine of 's matches as they reached the final but finished as runners-up to . In the group stage against on 9 March 1992 at , Lewis claimed 4/30 from 10 overs, his career-best ODI figures, to restrict the opposition to 174 all out after posted 280/6, securing a 106-run victory and earning him the award. Later in the tournament, during the group match against on 12 March 1992 at , he scored a brisk 33 off 22 balls at number seven, striking at 150, to help chase a rain-revised target of 226 in 41 overs, winning by three wickets with one ball remaining. In the final against on 25 March 1992 at Melbourne, Lewis was dismissed for a duck by , contributing to 's collapse from 69/2 to 74/7 en route to a 22-run defeat. Lewis's ODI career tapered off in the mid-1990s amid inconsistent form and competition for spots, but he remained a squad option for series against various opponents, including bilateral tours in the , , and home fixtures. His final ODI appearance came on 23 May 1998 against at , , where he bowled six overs for 36 runs without a and did not in England's 134-run victory. Throughout his white-ball international tenure, Lewis's versatility as a fourth or fifth seamer and occasional aggressor with the added depth to England's limited-overs setup during a transitional era.

Cocaine smuggling conviction (2009)

In December 2008, former cricketer Chris Lewis was arrested at upon arriving from St Lucia, where officials discovered 3.37 kg of liquid hidden inside five tins of fruit and vegetable juice packed in his cricket bag. Traces of were also found on his person and in his luggage during the search. The , which was 100% pure, had an estimated street value of £140,000. Lewis, then aged 40, had not played since 2000, when chronic hip injuries effectively ended his professional career—though he attempted a brief return for in 2008, which was hindered by the injury and limited his earning potential thereafter. He was traveling with accomplice Chad Kirnon, a 27-year-old from , and both were charged with conspiring to import the Class A drug. During the subsequent trial at , Lewis claimed he had been duped by Kirnon into carrying the tins, asserting he believed they contained only fruit juice and was unaware of the . Prosecutors argued it was a joint enterprise, pointing to evidence that Lewis had handled the bag and was motivated by financial greed amid his post-cricket struggles. On 20 May 2009, after a three-week , a rejected Lewis's defense and found both men guilty of the smuggling charges. The following day, at the same court, Judge Peter Moss sentenced Lewis to 13 years' imprisonment, describing the offense as a serious betrayal of trust and emphasizing the significant quantity of drugs involved. Kirnon received an identical sentence.

Imprisonment, release, and immediate aftermath (2009–2015)

Following his conviction in May 2009, Chris Lewis was sentenced to 13 years' imprisonment for attempting to smuggle liquid into the . He served six years of the sentence at HMP High Down in before being released on licence in June 2015. During his time in , Lewis described the experience as primarily a mental ordeal rather than a physical one, emphasizing the constant effort required to maintain positivity amid isolation. He faced emotional trauma, including suicidal thoughts, but drew on the mental resilience developed from his career to cope without acting on them. Interactions with fellow inmates were limited in his accounts, but he noted a profound sense of isolation, with no contact from former cricketing colleagues during his incarceration. played a minor role in his prison life; due to safety concerns, he was restricted from participating in games and instead umpired an informal match in the prison gymnasium. Upon release, Lewis expressed immediate relief at reclaiming his sense of self, stating, "It's nice to be back - and I don't mean being outside - I mean back being me." As a condition of his licence, he faced ongoing restrictions, including supervised reintegration, while grappling with financial difficulties and the stigma of his conviction, which he noted often appeared first in online searches of his name. The Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) provided crucial early support, assisting with his transition and involving him in initial outreach efforts to share his experiences. In reflections from this period, Lewis attributed his actions to post-retirement financial fears and poor planning, apologizing publicly for "wrong choices" that he never anticipated would lead to .

Post-retirement life

Professional and motivational work

Following his release from prison in June 2015, Chris Lewis collaborated with the Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) to mentor emerging cricketers, emphasizing the need for careful planning in career transitions and personal decision-making. In early 2016, he attended the PCA's Rookie Camp, an event for young county players, where he shared insights from his life experiences to underscore the importance of and avoiding high-risk choices after retirement. Lewis aimed for these sessions to have a lasting impact, hoping to steer participants away from the pitfalls that derailed his own post-playing life. Lewis has continued this motivational work through targeted speaking engagements with the PCA, focusing on life after for county professionals. Post-2015, he outlined plans to regularly address young players on topics such as and resilience, drawing briefly from lessons learned during his imprisonment to illustrate the consequences of poor choices. These efforts align with the PCA's broader support programs, positioning Lewis as a cautionary yet inspirational figure for aspiring navigating the end of their careers. In addition to his PCA involvement, Lewis returned to hands-on coaching in , where he worked with local players alongside former England batsman , contributing to grassroots development in the region. He has also engaged with the London Cricket College, supporting its revival and community initiatives since . This role builds on his earlier experience in coaching and community programs, allowing him to impart practical skills and motivational guidance directly to the next generation.

Media appearances, publications, and recent activities

In 2017, Chris Lewis published his autobiography Crazy: My Road to Redemption, co-authored with Jed Pitman, which chronicles his cricketing career, the challenges that led to his imprisonment, and his subsequent path to personal recovery. The book details his upbringing in , his time representing in 32 Test matches and 53 One-Day Internationals, the fallout from reporting a match-fixing approach, and the redemptive efforts following his release from in 2015. Lewis's life story also inspired the play The Long Walk Back, written by Dougie Blaxland and first performed in 2019 at HMP Portland prison, where it premiered behind bars before touring theaters across the . The production, starring as Lewis, explores his psychological journey from international stardom to incarceration and back, blending drama with insights into themes of regret and resilience. Lewis has appeared in various media interviews reflecting on his experiences, including a 2020 feature in the where he discussed the emotional trauma of serving six-and-a-half years in , describing the initial nights as overwhelming with acute fear and isolation. That year, he also participated in and video interviews, such as on the Crisis What Crisis? series, addressing his cricketing highs, the smuggling incident, and his ongoing redemption narrative. In August 2024, Lewis returned to competitive play in the Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast charity match at the National Stadium in Providence, captaining Team Kanuku against a side led by Guyana's President Dr. Irfaan Ali, with proceeds supporting local causes. As of November 2025, Lewis continues selective public engagements tied to his motivational themes, though no major new media appearances or publications have been reported.

References

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