ALEX LEES says that proving his credentials in limited overs cricket was an immensely satisfying part of 2014.

The Yorkshire opener has enjoyed a memorable year in all forms of the game, playing a significant part in their LV= County Championship title success with more than 900 runs.

He was a part of county cricket’s most successful opening partnership in the four-day arena alongside fellow left-hander Adam Lyth.

He also enjoyed a breakthrough summer against the white ball for the Vikings in both Twenty20 and one-day cricket having had little senior experience in those formats prior to the campaign.

The 21-year-old was the county’s leading scorer in the Royal London one-day Cup with 368 runs from nine matches, including an unbeaten 102 against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road.

He was also one of only two Yorkshire batsmen to pass 300 runs in the NatWest T20 Blast alongside Jonny Bairstow, whose haul of 355 runs topped Lees by 40. Lees batted at number three in the Vikings’ T20 team last season.

He now finds himself in Sri Lanka on an England Performance Programme training camp preparing for a Lions tour of South Africa in the New Year, which includes four-day and one-day matches between the two A sides.

“In my opinion, I’ve always been able to play all three formats, but this year is the only one where I’ve had a prolonged opportunity in limited overs cricket,” said the Halifax-born player.

“I knew I could play all three forms, it was just about me proving that to those who hadn’t seen me play white ball cricket before.

“Some may say it would have been a surprise at the start of the season to see where I am now (in a Lions one-day squad), but I wouldn’t have been too surprised if I’m honest because I know what player I am.

“It has been very rewarding to show people that I’m not just a one-trick pony.

“It’s something I want to continue to improve to make sure I continue to play all three forms.”

Meanwhile, Lees' fellow Championship winner Kane Williamson has been cleared for an immediate return to bowling by the ICC.

Williamson was banned from bowling his part-time off-spinners in July when his action was deemed to be illegal after a Test series in the West Indies, preventing him from bowling for Yorkshire in the second half of the English summer.

He has recently been re-tested, however, with his remodelled action now deemed legal. New Zealand are currently playing a one-day series against Pakistan in the UAE.