Leg-spinner Crane signs Hampshire extension

MASON CRANE has committed his future to Hampshire by signing a contract extension.

The leg-spinner has put pen-to-paper on an extended deal, committing his future to the club until the end of the 2022 season.

Crane, who featured prominently for Hampshire’s Academy and second XI before making his first-team debut in 2015, has enjoyed an excellent start to his Hampshire career.

After claiming 66 wickets in just 34 matches across all formats in his first two seasons, he continued to impress on the county scene in 2017, taking 49 wickets across all formats.

That form saw him receive a call-up to England’s IT20 side that summer before also getting the nod for their 2017/18 Ashes series in Australia - a tour which saw him make his Test debut.

Despite returning to England with a back stressfracture which limited his playing opportunities the following season, Crane still managed to play a pivotal role in Hampshire’s Royal London One-Day Cup triumph in

2018.

Crane has since solidified his place as an important part of James Vince’s whiteball side, with 14 wickets in nine matches helping Hampshire return to Lord’s for a second successive one-day final, whilst also adding 11 wickets in the Vitality Blast last summer.

The 23-year-old impressed once again in a truncated

2020 season, picking up nine wickets in as many matches at an average of 22.

After committing to Hampshire, Crane said:

‘I’m very happy to commit to a new extension here at Hampshire.

‘I’m looking forward to what the future brings for us as a team and can’t wait to continue to improve and contribute to the club’s success over the coming years.’

Hampshire director of cricket, Giles White, said: ‘Mason is a key member of our squad and his contributions with the ball this season have been excellent.

‘We’re delighted with his progress and the fact that he’s committed his future to Hampshire.

‘He will be an important player for us moving forward.’