Alex Lees pens three-year extension with Durham, targets return to Test side

Lees, who first joined the club on loan in 2018, has scored over 4,000 runs in 82 appearances across all formats

Alex Lees has penned a three-year contract extension with Durham which will keep him at the club until the end of 2025.

The 29-year-old, who joined the club on loan from Yorkshire back in 2018 before making the switch permanent ahead of the 2019 season, has scored 4,377 runs in 82 appearances.

A staple of Durham's first-class side, he has scored 2,891 runs at 40.15, including seven centuries and 15 half-centuries, in 44 red-ball outings, with his form earning him a call-up to the Test side in 2022.

He has since notched up 10 appearances for England, scoring 453 runs at 23.84 (two half-centuries).

^{Alex Lees notched up ten appearances for England in 2022 [Stu Forster/Getty Images]}

Lees has also scored 993 runs (three centuries, nine half-centuries) in 19 List A appearances for Durham, including contributing 562 runs at 70.25 during their run to the 2021 Royal London Cup final, and a further 493 runs in 19 T20 outings.

Commenting on committing his future to Durham, Lees said: "I am delighted to re-sign for the club, and I am looking forward to [pursuing] some silverware and regain my place in the Test team.

"Durham afforded me an opportunity to play regular first team cricket again and I'm glad I can show some gratitude by extending my terms."

Director of cricket, Marcus North, added: "To have Alex commit his future to Durham is brilliant news for the club.

"Since joining in 2018, his performances on the field and contributions behind the scenes have been outstanding.

"We look forward to Alex continuing to be central to our success over the next few years and beyond."