Ashraf salutes fellow Steelbacks bowler Gleeson

Ashraf and Gleeson tore through the Durham Jets top order last Friday as the Steelbacks secured a 26-run victory in the NatWest T20 Blast.

The two men who bowled Steelbacks’ opening overs set the team up for victory as they defended their 161 for nine with ease.

Gleeson only made his white-ball debut for Northants earlier this month, impressing in the defeat at Worcestershire Rapids before also doing well in the clash with Yorkshire Vikings.

He was at it again against Durham, conceding just 18 runs from his four overs and taking the wicket of Mark Stoneman as Durham slumped to nine for four.

Ashraf claimed three for 17 as he made his debut in that match - and he was quick to hail Gleeson’s contribution to the cause.

“Glees has really impressed me, having not seen him before,” said former Yorkshire seamer Ashraf, who recently joined Northants on a short-term deal.

“He’s really impressed me with how he hits the pitch and he hadn’t played any white-ball cricket for Northants before the past few weeks.

“He bowled really well at Yorkshire and he’s impressed me, taking confidence from game to game and hopefully I can do that in the games to come.”