Richard Gleeson: Playing for England wasn't on my radar

GEORGE DOBELL AT EDGBASTON: Gleeson impressed with 3 for 15 in four overs against India - a remarkable comeback from a man who, only a few months ago, was confronted by the prospect of retirement after sustaining a stress fracture in his back

Richard Gleeson has admitted that playing for England "wasn't on my radar" for most of his career.

Gleeson, who at 34 years and 219 days became the third oldest debutant for England in T20I cricket at Edgbaston on Saturday, impressed with 3 for 15 in four overs including the wickets of Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant and Virat Kohli in his first eight deliveries.

It wasn't enough to prevent England sliding to a second successive defeat – a result which ensures India win this series – but it did suggest he could be a valuable played in the T20 World Cup campaign which is just a few weeks away.

It all represents a remarkable comeback from a man who didn’t make his first-class debut until he was 27 and, only a few months ago, was confronted by the prospect of retirement after sustaining a stress fracture of the back.

"Did I think this day would come? Not in 2015, when I first played for Northants, no," Gleeson said. "And not in 2016, either.

^{Richard Gleeson celebrating the wicket of Rishabh Pant [Stu Forster/Getty Images]}

"But a couple of years ago [it was 2018], I played a bit for England Lions and I did all right. And I thought well, maybe if there are a couple of injuries.

"But then I had my injury. Playing for England just wasn't on my radar. It wasn't that I was contemplating retirement; it was more that it was something that might have been forced upon me. Recovery was a long, slow process. I was just focused on trying to get back playing for Lancashire and playing cricket again.

"This makes it all worthwhile. Just getting back on the park for Lancs was my aim and to then do well was even better. But this wasn't anywhere near my radar. I'm thankful that I've had the opportunity."

Gleeson owes his opportunity, in parts, to the Minor Counties (now renamed National Counties). Until he was spotted playing there, he had worked as a landscape gardener and factory worker as well as a cricket coach with Chance to Shine.

"I did some landscape gardening whilst I was playing in Australia after I finished university and then I got a factory job for six months just to tide me over," Gleeson says. "After that, I got a job with Lancs Cricket Board coaching on the Chance To Shine programme. I did that for about five years.

"They were really good. They gave me the flexibility to go off and play minor counties cricket. Then James Middlebrook [who had just finished playing for Northants] - who was playing for Bedfordshire; I was playing for Cumberland - picked me up and says, I think you've got something I'll put you in touch with Northants. It went from that.

"Playing for England wasn't on my radar. I just wanted to try and play the highest standard that I could. So each time I reach that next level, I then want to reach the level higher than that. And I've got to here so far. I’ll so keep going."

^{Richard Gleeson in full flight [Stu Forster/Getty Images]}

Gleeson's main weapon is his pace allied with his control. He has been, he says, timed at 92 mph during a televised game with a highest here or around 89 mph. But he also believes his 'nothing to lose' attitude may be one of his greatest assets.

"When I first started I didn't have any pressure, really," he explains. "It never felt like this was the be all and end all. I had a job, I had a career that was all lined up and this was just an opportunity to see what happened.

"And now I'm probably in that situation again. I was out of contract last winter. I didn't know if I was going be able to play again.

"And now? Why not aim for the T20 World Cup. I just want to play in the big occasions. I'll just look forward to the next game."

Even going into this game, Gleeson's future is uncertain. He is out of contract at Lancashire in a couple of weeks and, while new contract talks are on-going, nothing is resolved at this point. You would have thought his performance here would have proved persuasive.

"I'll be out of contract 10 days after the T20 Blast," he said. "So a new contract with Lancashire is on my radar now. And just playing cricket and enjoying it. I just want to play for as long as I can. Anything can happen."

Indeed it can. He's just proved it.

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