Yorkshire opener Alex Lees, who smashed 274 runs in two Hoylandswaine victories this week, is hoping his spell at Haigh Lane will help him get back into the Headingley side this season.

The 25-year-old from Halifax has played 170 Yorkshire games, scoring more than 6,000 runs for them, and had been discussed as a future England star. But he has not been able to secure a regular place this season and has been dropped to the second XI mostly.

That has allowed Swaine, who have had some top club cricketers and ex-professionals in recent years, to add him to their batting line-up. Lees made 96 in Saturday's win at Scholes then 178 off 125 balls in Sunday's success at Thongsbridge in which Swaine made a huge 460 for four.

The defending champions have won all seven of their matches so far this season while Lees, who carried his bat with 69 not out on debut earlier in the season, has scored 343 in three innings at an average of more than 170.

Lees told the Chronicle: "I lost my rhythm over the winter, because of all the bad weather and barely being able to get outside to train. I wanted to use league cricket as a vehicle to getting back to my best and to get some hours in the middle. Runs are runs no matter where they come.

"I had heard that Hoylandswaine have the best wicket in the Huddersfield League and one of the best in Yorkshire. I haven't actually played on it yet because all my games have been away, but I am looking forward to it.

"I know one of their players, Gurman Randhawa, from the Yorkshire academy and he persuaded me to join. It's a nice club and an exceptional league team. They know my priority is getting back in the Yorkshire team but hopefully I can help them while I do that."

On Sunday in Thongsbridge, Lees and Gharib Nawaz shared an opening stand of 260. Lees smashed 17 fours and seven sixes while Nawaz hit 154 off 127 balls with 22 fours and five sixes. Chris Holiday added 66 not out off 27 balls with four sixes and eight fours then Usman Arshad fired 28 off ten balls with six fours. Chasing 460, Thongsbridge were all out for 162 with Randhawa taking three wickets.

The previous day, in Scholes, Lees whacked six sixes and nine fours in his 96 off 84 balls. Saeed Anwar (59), Nawaz (48), SP Singh (47 not out) and Holliday (45) helped Swaine to 315 for five. Scholes were bowled out for 159 with Arshad and Randhawa taking four wickets each.

Meanwhile, Cawthorne's Jacob Deavin-Baker took seven for 30 as they defended 119 by bowling Delph and Dobcross out for 80.