Richard Gleeson signs T20 contract with Lancashire

Three appearances across the last two seasons due to back problems have hindered the seamer's recent progress, but a full return to action appears to be in the offing

Lancashire have announced Richard Gleeson has signed an initial T20 Blast only deal for the 2022 season.

The 34-year-old has been dogged by back problems since a stress fracture on the right side of his L5 vertebra in the summer of 2020 threatened to dismantle his career.

Gleeson has played three senior matches in the last 26 months - one first-class game and two T20s for Lancashire - having suffered a re-occurrence of the problem.

Having forced his way into the England fold before injury struck, his absence has cost him a possible international debut while deals with two Hundred teams - Northern Superchargers and Manchester Originals - have come and gone.

He has re-signed with Lancashire initially for the Blast, which begins in late May, before other competitions are considered. The Red Rose kick-off their campaign against Yorkshire on May 27 at Emirates Old Trafford.

"We know what he is capable of and we’re looking forward to having him as part of our T20 squad this year."

The ex-Northamptonshire quick has been rehabbing with the wider squad this winter and will step up his recovery next week after being included in a pre-season tour to Dubai.

"After a really frustrating couple of years with injury, I am pleased to sign a new contract with the club, and I am looking forward to making an impact in T20 cricket this summer," said Gleeson, who has 50 wickets in 52 T20s.

"I would like to thank all of the club’s medical department for their ongoing support, hopefully, this is the start of a return to full fitness and getting back on the park more regularly.

"It’s been a really positive winter so far and hopefully that continues on the pre-season tour and into the start of the summer."

Gleeson was a key figure of the Northants side that won the T20 Blast title in 2016, taking 14 wickets in 10 games though he missed Finals Day with a side strain.

^{Gleeson was in England contention before injury struck (Chris Hyde/Getty Images)}

Since moving back to Lancashire at the back-end of the 2018 campaign ahead of the start of his permanent three-year deal, he has only played 25 matches for the club.

He makes up a Blast squad which includes Phil Salt, who has arrived from Sussex, and Singapore sensation Tim David.

“We are looking forward to having Richard available for us initially in the Vitality Blast and believe he can make an important contribution for us," head coach Glen Chaple added.

"He has had a tough time of it over the last 18 months but has worked hard with our sports science and medical team to regain full fitness ahead of this year’s campaign.

"We know what he is capable of and we’re looking forward to having him as part of our T20 squad this year."