Lewis down but not out after winter tour snub (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Lewis down but not out after winter tour snub

JON LEWIS has admitted his disappointment at being left out of England's one-day squad for the tour of Pakistan this winter but insists he hasn't given up hope of resuming his international cricket career.

Swindon's Gloucestershire seam bowler was a member of the England squad this summer for the one-day internationals against Australia and Bangladesh and for the Ashes series.

But the former Churchfields School pupil has been omitted from both the Test and limited-overs squads due to tour Pakistan later this year.

And the year looks like ending with Lewis not being involved on the international scene at all.

"It has been a very in and out season for me, a funny old season," admitted Lewis.

"To be honest I was not surprised I was not picked for the Test squad for Pakistan but I thought I would make the one-day squad.

"I did okay in the summer one-dayers took some wickets and didn't do anything drastically wrong.

"I don't know whether I feel I should have been picked or not."

This year has seen the 30-year-old's fortunes do a complete revolution.

Lewis opened the year by being called out to South Africa for the final Test as cover for Steve Harmison and eventually being named as 12th man.

Then he played in the Emirates for England A in a three team tournament against Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Back home in early June he played in the inaugural Twenty/20 match against Australia, and in the one-day international series against both the Aussies and Bangladesh.

But then spent time on the sidelines for the conclusion of the one-day matches with the Aussies before returning to Gloucestershire and looking for an Ashes call-up.

However, that was thwarted after he sustainied a broken bone in his hand and was sidelined for nearly a month.

"I have still played a fair few games and taken 40-odd wickets at 25 apiece in the championship and 20 odd in the one day matches at 18 apiece,'' he said.

"I feel I have performed well this season and to a high standard and would back myself against any bowler.

"Therefore I am not sure why I wasn't picked and will be asking the chairman of selectors at some stage soon.

"The ball swings around in Pakistan and I feel confident bowling on any surface.

"I will not go abroad this winter and will just have a break keep myself fit as you do not know what is around the corner," he added.

After a few days' rest Lewis was returning to action today at Egbaston in a county match against Warwickshire and captains the side. He has previously captained Gloucestershire once before this season in the game against Bangladesh A.