[2] In 1938, the first few matches played by Jack Walsh in which he took 21 wickets in three games pointed the way for Leicestershire's future bowling, but Wisden Cricketers' Almanack found time to consider Lester too: "Lester had shown promise of developing into a capable leg-break bowler, but last season, although getting plenty of spin on the ball, he failed to find a length and as a result came in for heavy punishment.
"[3] At this point in his career, Lester was regarded as primarily a bowler and batted in the lower order, with a highest score of 20 which he increased to 44 not out in the 1939 match in which Northamptonshire finally won a County Championship game after four years without a victory.
[6] More importantly in terms of the side's needs, however, he started making more runs, and by the end of the season he had frequently become captain Les Berry's opening partner, with Frank Prentice moving down to No 3.
[9] In a very dry and hot summer and with Leicestershire lacking bowlers, Lester bowled more than 600 overs in 1947, and his 42 wickets included his career-best figures of six for 42 against the South Africans.
His role was mostly as an opening batsman, and though his figures to modern eyes may appear unimpressive, Leicestershire in this period were normally stronger in bowling than in batting and his place was secure: he made 1000 runs in five seasons in all, and 999, 997 and 977 in three others.