Durham Cricket are delighted to announce that Alex Lees has been appointed Men’s Club Captain, while signing a new three-year deal in Chester le Street.
Lees will replace Scott Borthwick as Captain in the County Championship alongside his current role as men’s white ball captain.
The 31-year-old will now remain a Durham player until at least the conclusion of the 2027 season, becoming the 15th cricketer to captain Durham Men.
Since signing for the club in 2018, the Halifax born cricketer has been vital at the top of the order, racking up over 8,000 runs across all three formats with 21 centuries.
Lees became white ball captain at the beginning of the 2023 season, leading Durham to a Vitality Blast quarter final in 2024.
The left-hand batter has seen his career revitalised under Ryan Campbell, scoring 2,271 County Championship runs since the start of 2023, a tally that is only bettered across both divisions by Durham teammate David Bedingham.
He also made his England Test debut while playing for Durham, representing the national side 10 times scoring 453 runs with a best of 67 against New Zealand.
Alex Lees said: “I am delighted to be named the new Men’s Club Captain at Durham, the move to the North East has been a good one for me, so to now be given the opportunity to captain Durham is a privilege and an honour.
“I believe this squad has the potential to really challenge to go on and win trophies. We have a great bunch of lads here and that is the thing which excites me the most, I feel like we have a group of players who can really challenge and go onto look to win something.
“This opportunity to captain Durham gives me an opportunity to put some real focus into the red ball team, building on the foundations that we have built over the last few years.
“Scott [Borthwick] did a fantastic job over the last four seasons and I think getting promoted back to Division One is huge credit to him.
“Now is about building on the good stuff we have done over the last few years and taking it forward giving us that extra 10% to go on and challenge for trophies.
“I am very settled in the North East, the region is fantastic for myself and the family, this is home now and long may that continue, and I am really excited to see what the next three years have to offer.”
Director of Cricket, Marcus North said: “I am thrilled that Alex has agreed a further 3 years at Durham and to become our Men’s Club Captain, taking over from the strong foundations which Scott Borthwick has put in place over the last four years.
“Alex’s dedication, passion and ambitions for the Club has been evident since his arrival in 2018. He is a popular and respected figure in the squad who leads with tenacity.
“Alex has established a strong connection with Ryan Campbell during his time as white ball captain making him the perfect person to lead Durham in the County Championship.”