ONE of the greatest batsmen ever to wield a piece of willow in South Wales has put his post-cricket political success down to his years in Ammanford.

West Indian Linton Lewis – who is in the running to become Prime Minister of his Caribbean home in St Vincent and the Grenadines – graced the South Wales leagues for nine years after he joined the Amman Valley club as an overseas professional in 1981.

The opening batsmen sent fans into raptures as he blasted opposing bowlers to all corners of Ammanford Park, and beyond, scoring more than 1,000 runs in four seasons and reaching well into the 900s twice.

He remains the most prolific batsman ever to have turned out in the South Wales Cricket Association’s league thanks to a blistering 1,543 runs in just 16 innings during the 1983 campaign, giving him a breathtaking 96.44 average for the season.

Now on the brink of leading his country, Lewis, 49, has spoken of the impact his time in Ammanford had on him as a person.

“I know for a fact it has contributed [to where I am today],” he said.

“This may sound surprising, but I felt far more comfortable in Ammanford than I did in my own country of birth.

“Everyone bent over backwards to make my life an enjoyable one.

“The discipline I nurtured and cultivated in Ammanford I apply here – it gave me a sense of confidence that some people believe bordered on arrogance.

“I think 90 percent of the can be attributed to Ammanford. It moulded me into what I am at this time.”

Ammanford Cricket Club stalwart Richard Evans said: “He completely changed the character of the club forever.”