Former England all-rounder Chris Lewis has come out of retirement to sign up for Surrey's Twenty20 Cup campaign at the age of 40.
40-year-old comes out of retirement to play Twenty20 Cup for Surrey.
Former England all-rounder Chris Lewis has come out of retirement to sign up for Surrey's Twenty20 Cup campaign at the age of 40.
The veteran retired from first-class cricket eight years ago but his displays in playing for the PCA Masters XI caught the eye of former Surrey seamer Martin Bicknell, who recommended him to his former employs.
Lewis has been playing league cricket in the East Midlands whilst coaching primary school children, but will now make a return to first-class cricket at the Oval.
Surrey cricket manager Alan Butcher says that Lewis' experience could be key for his side's Twenty20 chances, especially after losing all-rounder Azhar Mahmood, who has joined Kent, and Rikki Clarke, who is taking up the captaincy at Derbyshire.
"Lewis has remained extremely fit and could play a vital role in Surrey's Twenty20 campaign as an all-rounder," Butcher told the county's website.
Big plus
"Having Chris in the squad is a huge plus especially when you combine the facts of us losing two all-rounders from last season.
"The reports from respected judges of Chris' form for the PCA Masters and the advent of a million pound competition in the IPL (Indian Premiere League) Champions Trophy, he starts to look like the right option for us.
"IPL has suddenly put domestic Twenty20 on a different level and Surrey would love to be competing against seven of the world's best Twenty20 teams next autumn.
"I believe Chris Lewis can help us be very competitive in that aim. He ticks boxes on many levels: he's an all rounder who is still a brilliant fielder; he does not require a full time, long-term contract as a young kolpak player would and therefore 1st team opportunities will still be available for our young players throughout the season."
Lewis began his career with Leicestershire in 1987, and had a spell with Surrey in between playing for Notts and returning to the Foxes.
Speaking to
Sky Sports News after resuming training with his new team-mates, Lewis predicted that age would prove no barrier to success.
"I don't think 40 comes into it," he said. "I think, more importantly, in the last few years my own commitment to fitness hasn't been at the same level it used to be and certainly not at the same level of these guys.
"So there's a question there of playing catch-up - doing things I haven't actually done for a while.
"But, once the fitness level is there, I don't expect 40 to play any part in it."
Lewis took 93 wickets and scored 1105 runs, including one century, in 32 Tests for England, and grabbed 66 wickets and 374 runs in 53 ODIs.
In his first-class county career, Lewis played 189 games taking 543 wickets at 29.88, while he showed he was a genuine all-rounder as he scored 7406 runs with nine centuries, including his best score of 247.
