on the same level as previous years, but he did hit a maiden century in fifty minutes against Hampshire, something he was to repeat a year later against Sussex. In 1906, though he took 168 wickets, Lees was overshadowed by the tremendous speed of Neville Knox on the dry but very true Oval pitches, but was believed by observers to be just as good as in 1905. In a famous match for the Players, Lees put on more pace than usual and took six wickets, whilst with 51 he proved better able to play Knox and Walter Brearley than most of the recognised professional batsmen. Lees' 1907 season was affected by a strain that cost him a month's cricket and any chance of representative honours, whilst from 1908 inconsistency began to plague his bowling and his batting was no longer of value. Though he had some deadly days in 1909, it was clear Lees was on the way down, and by the end of 1910 he had lost his place in the Surrey side to Bill Hitch and Tom Rushby. After a few games in 1911, Lees was not re-engaged. He died in 1924 still short of his fiftieth birthday. References External links Surrey County Cricket Club First-Class Records 1846-2000, Limited Overs Records 1963-2000, pub. Surrey County Cricket Club, 2001. 1875 births 1924 deaths England Test cricketers English cricketers People from Sowerby Bridge Surrey cricketers Wisden Cricketers of the Year Marylebone Cricket Club cricketers Players cricketers North v South cricketers Cricketers who have taken five wickets on Test debut London County cricketers Players of the South cricketers