Cricket: Lewis eyes England recall (From Gazette Series)

Lewis has international ambitions after signing new Gloucestershire contract

8:40am Thursday 12th February 2009 in Sport

JON Lewis insists he has not given up on playing for England again after he signed a new contract with Gloucestershire this week.

The former county skipper agreed a deal to keep him at Nevil Road until the end of the 2011 season along with Chris Taylor and still has international ambitions.

Seam bowler Lewis played in one Test match and 13 one-day Internationals for England between 2005 and 2007 but has been overlooked by the selectors ever since he pulled out of the 2007 World Cup squad for personal reasons.

However, at the age of 33 he believes he can still break into the side.

“It was the best part of my career playing for England,” he said.

“I think if I get my fitness and form right, I cannot see any reason why I cannot push the guys in the side.

“It’s been a bit of a closed shop in the last few years, but if the performances do not get better then people clamber for change and if I do well at county level you never know.”

With the extra weight on his shoulders last season following Mark Alleyne’s departure as coach, Lewis struggled to find his best form. He resigned as captain at the end of the campaign, passing the baton onto Alex Gidman, and he is now looking forward to the next three years where he hopes to help Gloucestershire get back to challenging for trophies.

He said: “Last year I was put under extra responsibility and I did not cope as well as I would have liked. I’m happy to focus on my own performance and make sure it is 100% right.”

“I’m really excited to be involved with (Director of Cricket) John Bracewell coming back and Alex Gidman as captain.

“Every year we aim to win trophies but our performances last year were not good enough - we need to be a lot better this year.”

Batsman Taylor is also targeting better times ahead for Gloucestershire after a nightmare 2008 season where they didn’t win a single County Championship game. He believes that the return of Bracewell as Director of Cricket and the appointment of Gidman as captain will act as a fresh start.

He said: “First and foremost we’ve got to put last year behind us, start afresh in many ways and look to build on the experience in the team.

“We’ve got players who have experienced Lords finals and winning big games for Gloucestershire and some young inexperienced guys who are looking to make it a breakthrough season so it’s a good mix. Hopefully we can sign an overseas player to compliment that so potentially it could be an exciting season.

“John Bracewell will push the guys and get the best out of players because he’s got a track record of doing so.”

Meanwhile, Gloucestershire have missed out on their overseas target, Kyle Mills, after the New Zealand international seamer was snapped up by Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League auction.

It was agreed he would join up with the county for the first part of the summer but that was subject to Mills earning an IPL contract and he went for his base price of US$150,000.

Gloucestershire Chief Executive, Tom Richardson, said: “He is the type of player we are looking for and he was keen to come over and join us.”

“In the meantime the completion of the IPL auction makes the situation clearer as to which players will be available for the start of our season and it is still our intention to recruit an overseas bowler.”

*Gloucestershire have signed former England under-19 all-rounder Rob Woodman on a two-year contract.

The 22-year-old, who made his first class debut with Somerset in 2005, played in Gloucestershire’s final County Championship game last season against Essex at Bristol after impressing for the MCC Young Cricketers.