Ex-England cricketer Chris Lewis released from prison over cocaine smuggling

Former England cricketer Chris Lewis has been released from prison after serving less than half of a 13-year sentence for smuggling cocaine in the UK.

The 47-year-old was convicted in 2009 after attempting to bring dissolved cocaine worth £140,000 into the country.

Lewis, who earned 32 Test caps for England in his career, has revealed in an interview with the Professional Cricketers' Association that money troubles led him to committing the crime.

"I became afraid of what the future held, and at that point the thinking went awry," said Lewis. "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 took 93 wickets and averaged 23 with the bat over six years at Test level with England.