Mason Crane relishes England recall and wants to be more than a highlight-reel bowler

Mason Crane says he is “buzzing” at the prospect of returning to England duty. Recalled to the side, the leg-spinner wants to show he can offer more than spectacular moments for social media: he also aims to adapt to match situations and contribute consistently to his team’s play.

Crane had already been capped by England three times as a 20-year-old. Nine years ago, his last appearance was his Test debut, in the final match of the 2017/18 Ashes tour in Sydney. He said he had come to think that another opportunity might never arrive. “I didn’t really expect it, to be honest,” he admitted. “It was a bit out of the blue. But it’s really cool and I’m buzzing.”

The recall follows a period when, he said, he put too much pressure on himself and was enjoying the game less. “Over the last couple of years, I feel like I’ve got that spark back, and the ambition that comes with it,” he said. He is due to take part in England’s upcoming ODI tri-series in Pakistan.

Crane’s renewed confidence has also been built on improvement with the bat, alongside his bowling performances. He scored his maiden first-class century and then a second, as Glamorgan finished sixth in their first County Championship Division One season since 2005. “I’ve always believed I underperformed a bit with the bat,” he said. After moving to Glamorgan and playing more regularly, he realised he had more shots in his game. The big scores this year have lifted his confidence and, he said, helped him feature in more matches and bowl more often.

Crane also wants to improve how he approaches each innings: assessing the pitch and working out how to dismiss a particular batter. He says he is using more variations and has become better at bowling them, aiming to add to his game rather than rely on a handful of memorable deliveries.

He also praised his coach Richard Dawson, describing him as demanding and attentive to his players. “Daws is a brilliant coach. He’s been absolutely amazing for us,” he said, adding that Dawson’s high standards had helped the group thrive. From Glamorgan’s perspective, he said, the club would rather have kept him, but it was understandable that a coach of that calibre would move into international cricket. Dawson has recently left his role to join England’s red-ball staff as assistant to Stephen Fleming.

For Crane, then, the recall reflects the development of his all-round game as well as his work with the ball. He intends to make the most of this new opportunity and show he can be more than a highlights-reel bowler.