Photo courtesy of SA20
There are a number of Bears keeping themselves warm during the winter months by featuring in franchise leagues around the world. Today, we shine a spotlight on Richard Gleeson, who is having an excellent tournament in the SA20 for the Joburg Super Kings and making history along the way.
Gleeson’s Joburg Super Kings face the Paarl Royals this afternoon in a bid to qualify for the knockout rounds of the SA20.
By beating the Royals, they will leapfrog the Durban Super Giants and claim the last spot in the playoffs.
Gleeson has had a strong tournament to date, taking nine wickets at an average of 19.33, with his best of 3-2 coming against the Super Giants on December 30, as they bundled them out for 86 in a comprehensive victory.
Fast forward two days, and Gleeson was again the thorn in the Super Giants’ side as he first took 3-41 in regular time, and then bowled the first super over in SA20 history, conceding just five runs and ultimately seeing his side home to victory.
It had been a high-scoring affair with both teams reaching 205 from their 20 overs, when Gleeson took the ball to get the historic super over underway.
Bowling to former England Captain Jos Buttler and big-hitting South African Evan Jones, Gleeson used a mixture of yorkers and slower balls to restrict the powerful duo to just five runs, one of which was a bye to the keeper.
It was an exceptional display of death bowling, with the Super Kings making light work of the total, reaching it in just three balls to secure victory.
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Gleeson said: “You don’t want easy wins each game. They are great, but it’s moments like these where you are under pressure, and you have to fall back on your skills, which gives you great confidence as a bowler.
“You can practice as much as you want, but when you get wet conditions, with the dew, and you’re under pressure with the crowd, it is difficult. I’ve got a few techniques that we use with the psychologist, and I’ve done it quite a bit in the past. I just call on that experience to try and keep calm and keep a clear mind.”
Gleeson signed a two-year contract extension with the Bears during the summer, keeping him with Warwickshire until at least 2027.
The Joburg Super Kings take on the Paarl Royals at 3:30pm GMT on January 19.
2026 Blast Pass – All Games For £90
Get access to every home Vitality Blast group game in 2026 with a Blast Pass, on sale now at the best price.
That’s all seven home matchdays for only £90. Make EdgBLASTon your home.