New Yorkshire deal for Lees

20 April 2014........ Yorkshire v Northants , LV County Championship - Division One Day 1 at Headingley.
Yorkshire batsman Alex Lees. (TJ100333n). Picture by Tony Johnson — 20 April 2014........ Yorkshire v Northants , LV County Championship - Division One Day 1 at Headingley. Yorkshire batsman Alex Lees. (TJ100333n). Picture by Tony Johnson

Halifax batsman Alex Lees has signed a four-year contract extension with Yorkshire.

The 21-year-old left hander, currently in South Africa with England Lions, will be staying at Headingley until at least 2019.

Lees had a superb 2014 season, teaming up with Adam Lyth to form a prolific opening pairing which was a key feature of the Tykes’ LV= County Championship success.

He scored 971 championship runs and in September was named the Cricket Writers’ Club Young Cricketer of the Year.

Lees, guest of honour at the Halifax Courier Sports Awards at The Venue, Barkisland in November, is a former Bradshaw, Illingworth and Lightcliffe player.

Fast bowler Steve Patterson, 31, has signed a new one-year deal with Yorkshire.