But he has never seen anything quite like the Black Caps’ astonishing 3-0 test series sweep of India in the subcontinent, which they sealed with a 25-run win in the final test on Sunday night.
It was New Zealand’s maiden series victory in India — and the first time India have been blanked since a two-game series against South Africa in 2000 — and snapped India’s 18-series winning streak at home since their 2-1 loss to England in 2012.
"In my memory, which does go back a fair way . . . it’s an amazing achievement by a New Zealand team to beat India," Lees said.
"But to beat them three times in India, I can’t imagine me coming up with a better answer than this is the best I’ve ever heard of."
There had been individual performances through the years, and a few series in which the Black Caps "surprised people" in one test, but nothing on a par with the clean sweep.
"Initially, everyone was thrilled with the first win — surprised, but thrilled.
"The second win I think everyone would have said ‘wow, this is something special. What will we lose the third test by?’
"We won the third test, and everyone I’m sure, I promise, is just astounded about how good this team is.
"To win in India 3-0, the first time it’s ever been done, for a team that wasn’t performing very well, is just absolutely amazing."
Winning in India is never easy.
Players battle through extreme heat, and tough wickets — "which is a huge negative for us" — and playing the world No 2 side is always difficult.
But outside the weather, and pitches, the conditions had improved immensely in the past 20 years, Lees said.
Heading into the India series, the Black Caps lost consecutive tests to Sri Lanka, dropping the first test by 63 runs and the second by an innings and 154 runs.
Lees was full of praise for Black Caps coach Gary Stead’s approach.
Winning without Kane Williamson — who was out with injury for the series — and Tim Southee and Mitchell Santner, who were out injured in the final test, and on the back of the Sri Lanka series loss, was impressive.
"Gary Stead deserves something . . . possibly we tend to forget people like him," Lees said.
"For him to keep the team together, and to keep giving opportunities to young players, is huge reward, really."
New Zealand great Glenn Turner said the Black Caps win was a "good surprise".
"I almost started feeling sorry for the Indians because they’re wearing these shirts now that say Dream11," Turner said.
"Well, the dream’s not a very pleasant one at the moment.
"What surprised me is that they assumed they could produce turning pitches and win easily."
Turner was also shocked by India’s batting attack and their inability to cope with the turning wicket.
"Maybe it’s an indication of 20-over stuff starting to dominate where defensive techniques have been sidelined a bit.
"We’ve had the same sort of programmes as them and we haven’t, if you like, deteriorated to the extent that they appear to have."
Spinners dominating the bowling reminded Turner of his Indian tours during the late 1960s and 1970s.
He was impressed to see Ajaz Patel, who took 11 for 160 in the final test, take over from Santner, who took 13 for 157 in the second test, and "do similar damage".
"That was rather good," Turner said.
