ALEX Lees is closing in on 1,000 Specsavers County Championship runs for the first time in his career after underpinning Yorkshire's excellent start to their clash with Durham at Headingley.

Lees reached 50 for the ninth time this season, sharing 105 for the second wicket with Gary Ballance after the early loss of Adam Lyth.

The toss was uncontested, with Durham choosing to bowl before Yorkshire reached lunch at 110-1 from 31 overs, with Lees 56 not out and Ballance unbeaten on 44.

Lyth was caught in the gully off Graham Onions for two in the fourth over, leaving the score at 5-1.

Lees then reached 50 off 60 balls, including seven fours and a pulled six off Paul Collingwood's first ball of the morning, to be just 28 away from the 1,000-run mark.