The Durham batter is realistic regarding an England Test recall and won't overhaul his style to ensure he catches the attention of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum again
Alex Lees won't radically overhaul his approach to batting in an effort to return to the England Test side.
The Durham opener was dropped for the Pakistan tour after averaging just 23.84 in his 10 Tests.
And with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett enjoying impressive series as an opening pair, it looks like a long way back for the 29-year-old.
Lees' Test run ended after the third South Africa in the Kia Oval (ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Attempts to catch the attention of captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum start with the Lions tour of Sri Lanka.
Lees is part of the squad for the two Tests in Galle but it won't be a case of blasting his way back into the reckoning.
"For me, I've just got to keep staying in my lane and keep trying to develop as a player," said Lees. "And hopefully, if I can go back and put some good performances in.
Alex Lees - England Test career statsTests: 10; Innings 19; Runs: 453Highest score: 67; Average 23.85; Strike rate: 43.06100s: 0; 50s: 2
"It might not necessarily be this year but over the next couple of years while I'm still young enough, hopefully, I can be afforded another opportunity at some point."
The writing was on the wall for Lees when he was overlooked for a central contract despite being an ever-present during a remarkable Test summer.
Lees' England career can essentially be split into two parts. The first in the West Indies saw him score 126 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 27.39. The second across seven Tests under the McCullum-Stokes axis saw him hit 327 runs, two fifties and score at 55.23 per 100 balls.
"I'd love to experience that environment again and I think if I do, my biggest learning from this summer is that I need to make big hundreds"
"I don't see myself as a limited player," he added, reflecting on those performances in the Caribbean.
"I think it was obviously a conscious decision: you're just trying to buy into whatever the team's philosophy is.
"When I made my debut in the West Indies we'd come off the back of a regime where there was a big importance on first-innings runs no matter how slow or how long it takes to get them. So I think I was just trying to play in line with what the team ethos was at the time of each tour.
"But it's not that I'm a one-set style of player. I was literally just trying to bring the captain and coach's vision through action."
Crawley and Duckett appear to have nailed down the top two positions (RIZWAN TABASSUM/AFP via Getty Images)
Upon returning from Sri Lanka, Lees will look to catch the attention for Durham in the Championship (Stu Forster/Getty Images)
With seven first-class centuries in the last four summers, Lees is well aware of the kind of form required to pique the interest of the selectors. He was unable to pass 67 in 19 Test innings for England and knows big scores are the only way to go.
"My biggest reflection (on the summer) is disappointing, having got myself in good positions throughout the summer and I just didn't capitalise on it," he admits.
"I'd love to experience that environment again and I think if I do, my biggest learning from this summer is that I need to make big hundreds.
"That's the difference between the average summer I had and an exceptional summer and being left out. I'm fully focused on getting back in."
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