Northants quick replaces the injured George Garton
Saturday 10 February 2018 20:14, UK
Northamptonshire fast bowler Richard Gleeson has been called into the England Lions squad for the first time for their tour of the West Indies.
The 30-year-old, who has only been playing first-class cricket for three years, replaces injured Sussex left-armer George Garton.
Garton is heading home after sustaining a side injury during the Lions' warm-up match with a Jamaica XI at Sabina Park, and Gleeson will take his place for both the red and white-ball legs of the tour.
"I'm absolutely delighted," Gleeson told Northants' official club website. "I was sat having dinner out with a few of the lads when James Whitaker rang.
"Rips had said that Andy Flower had been in touch on Thursday night to enquire about my availability, but to actually get the call was just a phenomenal feeling.
"Just over a year ago I was working as a community coach up at Lancs so to get the opportunity to play for my country is a dream come true, though something I never thought could actually happen. I'm over the moon."
Gleeson will have to wait to make his Lions debut though as he will not arrive in time to be considered for the first four-day match against West Indies A that begins on Sunday.
