Ten years ago, Rawl Lewis began a new chapter in his cricket journey.

After almost two decades competing as a professional cricketer, the former West Indies leg-spinner and Windward Islands captain left behind the familiar world of runs, wickets, and match-day battles to take on the demanding role of team management.

The move from player to administrator was unfamiliar territory. But a decade later, Lewis has become one of the key figures responsible for guiding the West Indies Senior Men’s Team, shaping its culture, supporting players, and helping maintain the traditions of Caribbean cricket.

A sudden change of direction

Lewis’ transition into management happened quickly.

He ended his playing career in 2010 and joined Cricket West Indies later that year as an officer working with age-group cricket.

The adjustment was immediate.

“I stopped playing cricket in 2010 and started at Cricket West Indies later that year, in October, as an officer responsible for age-group cricket,” Lewis recalled.

“It was very new to me. At the start of the year, I was still on the field for the Windward Islands, and by October I was in a West Indies polo shirt trying to administrate cricket.”

The contrast was dramatic.

Lewis had spent 19 years as a player after emerging as a talented 17-year-old from Grenada. During his career, he represented the West Indies in five Test matches and 28 One-Day Internationals, while appearing in 232 first-class and List A matches combined.

But the skills needed to manage a team proved very different from those required to compete.

Discovering the hidden side of the game

Stepping away from the playing arena gave Lewis a new perspective on what happens behind the scenes.

“Being in this role has been a real eye-opener,” he said.

“As a player, you don’t really know what it takes to administrate cricket. When I saw what the team operations staff had to do to put tournaments together, I even had second thoughts about returning to the field or going back home to Grenada.”

Instead of turning back, Lewis embraced the challenge.

Over time, he developed a deeper appreciation for the planning, organization, and precision required to keep international cricket functioning.

One of the biggest lessons, he explained, was understanding the difference between being responsible for personal performance and managing an entire operation.

The pressure of getting everything right

As a player, mistakes are often temporary. A poor performance can be followed by another opportunity.

Management is different.

“As a player, you can have a bad day, drop a catch, fail with the bat or not take wickets, and you may still get another opportunity in the next match,” Lewis explained.

“As an administrator, you’re expected to be almost perfect, especially when you’re coordinating tours, travel logistics and player movements around the world. Attention to detail is critical.”

For Lewis, success is not only measured in results but also in preparation and consistency.

Protecting the heart of West Indies cricket

Beyond schedules and logistics, Lewis believes his responsibility extends to preserving the identity of the team.

He sees himself as a caretaker of the culture that has defined Caribbean cricket for generations.

“My role is to manage the culture of the unit because we represent the wider Caribbean and West Indians globally,” Lewis said.

“When young players come into the team, we want them to understand what they are playing for and why they are playing for it.”

That sense of purpose remains central to his work.

“We work for the people of the Caribbean. We know what cricket means to the region. When we won the World Cup in 2016, there wasn’t a quiet village anywhere in the Caribbean.”

Belief through the difficult moments

West Indies cricket has experienced challenging periods, and Lewis understands the frustrations of supporters.

However, he believes progress requires patience and faith in the process.

“I know it’s frustrating when we don’t win. That’s sport,” he said.

“Roger Federer probably lost more points than he won during his career, and he’s still considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time.”

“So, it’s not impossible for West Indies cricket to return to its glory days.”

Lewis remains confident that the talent and passion needed for success are still present.

Following the footsteps of legends

Among the greatest honors of Lewis’ decade as manager is the connection to the figures who held the role before him.

“When I was playing, Sir Clive Lloyd was the manager, then Joel Garner, and then Sir Richie Richardson,” Lewis said.

“If you ask me how the role moved from those three legends of West Indies cricket to me, I still don’t have the answer today.”

Lewis admitted that becoming manager was never a carefully planned ambition.

A childhood memory from a friend in Grenada reminded him otherwise. According to the friend, Lewis once predicted as a schoolboy during a fishing trip that he would one day manage the regional team.

“I couldn’t even remember saying it,” he said with a laugh.

A eLgacy beyond statistics

After 10 years in the role, Lewis views the opportunity as one of the proudest achievements of his career.

“That’s a real high for me,” he said.

“Every day I wake up knowing that I’m following in the footsteps of the great men who came before me. I’ve had this role for 10 years now, and I carry that pride with me everywhere I go.”

The former spinner, who claimed 325 first-class wickets, has discovered that influence in cricket is not only measured by performances on the field.

Today, his contribution is reflected in the players he supports, the standards he helps maintain, and the culture he works to protect.

Ten years after leaving the boundary line, Rawl Lewis continues to serve West Indies cricket — just from a different position.