Ex-cricketer Chris Lewis admits mistakes after release from prison

London, June 10 (IANS) Former England all-rounder Chris Lewis, who was jailed for drug smuggling and released on Tuesday, said he made choices which were wrong and felt sorry.

Lewis, who was born in Guyana but played 32 Tests and 53 One-Day Internationals (ODI) for England, was sentenced to 13 years in May 2009 for smuggling liquid cocaine, valued at more than $214,456, into Britain, hidden in fruit juice tins in his cricket bag. Lewis was stopped at Gatwick airport on December 8, 2008, while returning from St. Lucia.

In an interview with the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) after his release, he admitted money concerns had led him to commit the crime.

“I made choices. They were the wrong choices and I say sorry for them. I’ve had six years in jail and until recently I would still look around and think ‘wow you’re in jail’. That was not part of the plan. I never saw that coming,” Lewis said.

Lewis is committed to help PCA educate players into not making the mistakes that led him to being jailed.

“It’s actually nice to be back and by back I don’t mean being outside I mean back by being me. You would think that perhaps I would be apprehensive. I am excited. Keep cricket fun. You learn more when you are having fun, you play better when you are having fun. The stuff that may take away your smile just isn’t as important as it seems now,” the 47-year-old said.