Walter Lees (cricketer)
He learned his cricket in London and began his career with Surrey in 1896, but was regarded as merely promising until the following year when he took a regular place from the out-of-form William Lockwood and took 75 wickets despite being overshadowed by Tom Richardson.1904 saw Lees raised to the status of Surrey's chief bowler (except on sticky wickets) by the dropping out of Lockwood and Richardson, but by the standards of the day he was very expensive in most matches.With improved accuracy, spin and life from the fast pitches he was the leading wicket-taker in England, falling only seven short of 200 first-class wickets at a price far below any he had previously managed.[3] 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.[4] 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.