Bears’ England T20 bowler Richard Gleeson is continuing his recovery from injury and says he’ll be “fit and firing” in time for Bears’ huge Vitality Blast Quarter Final.
Gleeson – who’s played six times for England – was Bears’ standout bowler in the North Group as he took nine wickets in six games.
He’s also the competition’s most economical bowler to date with his overs costing just 4.70 runs apiece.
The 36-year-old strained his side during the win against Northants Steelbacks on 20 June – he’d taken two wickets for just two runs when he was forced off the field – and hasn’t played since.
But Gleeson, who’s currently with The Hundred side London Spirit, said he’s close to making a comeback and expects to be firing on all cylinders in a bid to get Bears back to Blast Finals day.
He said: “The body feels good, no issues from the side, I’m building in and hopefully should be ready to go in the next few days. I expect to be ready by game four in The Hundred.
“I’ll be fit and firing by Blast Quarter Final night. I should have a few games under my belt by then, blow away the cobwebs, and get back into my rhythm. I’ll be raring to go.
“I was very happy with the way I was performing in the group games. I felt I was executing the deliveries I wanted and making it difficult for the batters. I got a few wickets, didn’t go for many runs. Hopefully more of the same in the Quarter Final.”
Bears blitzed the North Group, qualifying in top spot with 10 wins from 14 games to secure a home Quarter Final on Friday 6 September (7pm start) against Gloucestershire.
Adult tickets will be available for only £15 during our Early Bird window, which will run until midnight on Sunday 4 August. Warwickshire Members and T20 Season Pass holders can claim a free ticket during this Early Bird window.
Early Bird tickets are available to buy online here.
Gleeson knows what it takes to make Finals Day having been in the Lancashire Lightning squad that finished runners-up two years ago, and the winning Northants squad from 2016.
“They were great days and ones I’ll never forget being involved in,” added Gleeson. “I want to experience that again, all the guys do, and we want to give our supporters a day to savour.
“But we can’t get too far ahead of ourselves; we have a job to do first. We need to take advantage of the home Quarter Final.
“I’ve won Quarter Finals before. I think sometimes teams fall into the trap of thinking about the end goal, getting to Finals Day, when there is still a job to do in the quarters. It’s about staying calm, delivering what you normally deliver, not getting too pumped.
“The fans can play an important job in getting us over the line, getting behind the lads and creating a fantastic atmosphere for us and a daunting one for our opponents.
“We want to make the Quarter Final a mini Finals Day. It would be amazing to play in front of a full Edgbaston and to celebrate with our supporters.”
Over 13,500 tickets sold for T20 quarter-final
For a third year in a row, Bears have secured a home Vitality Blast quarter-final against Gloucestershire on Friday 6 September. And tickets are going fast!
Over 13,500 tickets have already been sold. Adults tickets are available for only £20, if purchased in advance, while U16s are £5.
