Joe Root has been in truly stunning form in Test match cricket since the start of 2021, scoring 2,635 runs and 11 centuries at an average of 61.27.
Alex Lees knows Root better than most, having batted alongside him as a youngster in Yorkshire's academy all the way through to England's Test team. After relinquishing the captaincy following series defeats to Australia and the West Indies, Root appears to be batting with more freedom.
In four Tests this summer, he has struck three centuries and is averaging a whopping 113.80 and Lees says Root is somehow "getting more and more consistent", describing the way he has been batting as "effortless and savage".
"We've gone from playing for the Yorkshire Academy and into the second team and then the Yorkshire first team before I left," Lees told Mirror Sport as he took part in a media net session with Durham Cricket partners, Vertu Motors.
"It's pretty natural. We've known each other for quite a long period of time now. Him [Root] as a batter I think he's obviously incredible with his consistency.
"The way in which he gets his runs, he makes it look so effortless and savage, particularly in Test cricket. It's pretty incredible, really.
"He's obviously such a talented player and I think if anything he's getting more and more consistent which I think is quite hard to do. I'm sure he's got a lot of years left in the tank and I'm sure at some point, if he wants to, he'll take down some more records."
England are now set to face South Africa in a three-Test series later this month and Lees is looking forward to testing himself against a top-quality bowling attack that boasts the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Simon Harmer, Lungi Ngidi, Keshav Maharaj, Duanne Olivier and Marco Jansen as options.
"I've obviously had the luxury of batting quite a bit against Harmer [who plays county cricket for Essex], but those other seamers I've not really seen too much of," he added. "I do remember facing Rabada quite a few years ago.
"The challenge and the enjoyment of playing Test cricket is that you're putting yourself up against the best players in the world and if you don't enjoy that challenge, I don't think it's where you should be.
"I'm really looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead and I want to be a quality batter for England and affect games and try and win Test matches for England. I can't wait to get going, that environment has been incredible and hopefully we can keep that momentum going and play some good cricket."
