Lees keen for Durham to challenge 'in all formats'

Alex Lees scored 924 runs at an average of 46.20 in Division One in 2024

New Durham captain Alex Lees is determined to have his side challenging in all three competitions during the 2025 season.

Lees has replaced Scott Borthwick as red-ball captain to add to his white-ball responsibilities.

Durham were fifth in Division One last season in their first year at that level since 2016 and reached the quarter-finals of the T20 Blast for the first time since 2018.

"Our realistic expectation of ourselves is to challenge," he told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"We want to challenge in all formats and be in with a legitimate chance of winning stuff."

Lees, who has won 10 England caps, has been a prolific run-scorer for Durham, especially in the last two seasons in which he has amassed nine centuries.

Now he will be asked to lead from the front as the north-east county try to build on the solid foundations laid since promotion.

"Usually the sides that come up are earmarked to get relegated. That wasn't the case with Durham," he said.

"We came up with high expectations. If we're being honest, we were pretty content finishing fifth in our first season up.

"But if we look back, we're actually quite disappointed in where we did finish in the end."

'Loads of local bowlers'

Durham finished 60 points behind champions Surrey, but they have brought in batters Emilio Gay and Will Rhodes for the new season.

Star South Africa batter David Bedingham is still there, while there is plenty of local talent looking to follow in the footsteps of Mark Wood, Brydon Carse and Matthew Potts and force themselves into England contention.

Durham are recognised as playing the most Bazball-like style in county cricket under Australian head coach Ryan Campbell, so Lees is keen to get to work.

"We've put together a squad over the last few years that is quite experienced with some good young talent," he said.

"We have loads of north-east bowlers and a good north-east batter in Ben McKinney, who is coming up through the ranks.

"That core - a few signings from elsewhere and the core from the north-east - is really important."