Durham Names Alex Lees as New Captain for 2025 Season
In a major announcement, Alex Lees has been named the new club captain for Durham, stepping into a key leadership role while also committing to a long-term contract extension. The deal ensures Lees will remain at the club for at least three more seasons, reinforcing Durham’s plans for a competitive future.
Lees, a 10-Test veteran for England, takes over from Scott Borthwick, who is transitioning into a player-coach role as he approaches the latter stages of his career.
A Fresh Chapter for Durham Under Lees’ Leadership
The 30-year-old Lees has been a pivotal figure for Durham over the years, showcasing not just his skill with the bat but also his leadership capabilities:
- Lees has captained Durham’s white-ball teams successfully for the past two years.
- Under his leadership, Durham reached the T20 Blast quarter-finals last season, proving his ability to inspire the team on the big stage.
Taking on the County Championship captaincy, Lees expressed excitement about the challenge:
“I am delighted to be named the new men’s club captain at Durham. It’s an absolute privilege. This squad has the potential to challenge for trophies, and I’m excited to lead such a fantastic group of players.”
Alex Lees’ Journey: From Yorkshire Star to Durham Stalwart
Lees’ journey to the Durham captaincy has been one of resilience and growth:
- Early Promise at Yorkshire:
Lees emerged as a promising talent while playing for Yorkshire, even captaining their T20 side at just 22 years old. - Move to Durham:
In 2018, Lees made the switch to Durham, where he rebuilt his form and consistency. - England Recognition:
Lees earned a place in the England Test side following strong domestic performances, featuring in the 2021/22 Ashes and home series under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. - Red-Ball Consistency:
Since returning to domestic cricket, Lees has been in prolific form, scoring nine hundreds in the last two Championship seasons.
Durham’s Vision: Building for Trophies
Durham’s decision to hand Lees the captaincy comes as part of their ambitious rebuild:
- Lees’ leadership is expected to bring stability and direction to the squad.
- With his proven experience, Durham hopes to mount serious challenges in the County Championship and white-ball competitions.
Marcus North, Durham’s Director of Cricket, praised Lees for his passion and dedication:
“Alex’s commitment to the club has been evident since 2018. He’s respected across the squad and has all the qualities of a leader. We’re thrilled to have him for the long term.”
Durham Strengthens Squad for 2025
To back Lees’ leadership, Durham has been active in bolstering their squad:
- Will Rhodes joins from Warwickshire, adding depth to the batting lineup.
- Emilio Gay arrives from Northamptonshire, providing additional firepower in the top order.
- Sam Conners, an England Lions prospect, has been signed from Derbyshire to strengthen Durham’s seam bowling attack.
Durham fans can also look forward to potential appearances from Ben Stokes and Mark Wood early in the 2025 season. Neither player registered for the IPL auction, improving their availability for Durham.
However, Brydon Carse will miss the early season after securing a lucrative IPL deal with Sunrisers Hyderabad.
What This Means for Durham’s Future
The appointment of Alex Lees signals Durham’s intent to compete for silverware:
- Lees brings experience, consistency, and leadership to a squad full of young talent.
- The new signings and the presence of England stars provide Durham with a balanced and competitive team.
Durham fans have every reason to be optimistic about the upcoming seasons under Lees’ captaincy.
FAQs – Alex Lees Named Durham Captain
Q1: Who is the new captain of Durham?
A: Alex Lees has been named the new club captain for Durham, replacing Scott Borthwick.
Q2: How long is Alex Lees’ contract with Durham?
A: Lees has signed a contract extension that will keep him at Durham for at least three more seasons.
Q3: What has Alex Lees achieved for Durham so far?
A: Lees has led Durham’s white-ball teams for the past two years, including a successful run to the T20 Blast quarter-finals last season.
Q4: Who are Durham’s new signings for the 2025 season?
A: Durham has signed Will Rhodes, Emilio Gay, and Sam Conners to strengthen their squad.
Q5: Will Ben Stokes and Mark Wood play for Durham in 2025?
A: Stokes and Wood could feature in the early part of the 2025 season, depending on their ECB commitments.