Bears confirm Gleeson's return for 2025 Blast

Richard Gleeson played six T20 internationals for England in 2022, taking nine wickets

Birmingham Bears have confirmed pace bowler Richard Gleeson will return to play for the side in next season's T20 Blast.

The former England seamer, who turns 37 in December, joined the Bears on a two-season deal in January, with his contract for 2025 triggered by a performance-related clause.

After taking nine wickets in six games, a side strain forced him out of the rest of the group phase but he returned for the Bears' quarter-final defeat by this season's eventual champions Gloucestershire.

Gleeson also finished as the competition's most economical bowler, going for only 4.83 runs per over.

"I'm really happy to be heading back to Edgbaston and being a Bear again," Gleeson told the club website.

"I was very happy with the way I performed in the group games. It was frustrating to pick up the injury as I was flying at the time.

"Losing that quarter-final really hurt. We know collectively we should have made Finals Day. But it makes us all doubly determined to get there next season."

Bears performance director Gavin Larsen said getting former Northamptonshire and Lancashire seamer Gleeson back for a second year was a "no-brainer".

"He's been there and done it and he's a great guy to have around Edgbaston," Larsen added.