Crane knows future is in his own hands
MASON CRANE was on the field at Headingley as a substitute fielder for just one ball on Tuesday before taking the catch of his life.
Now the young legspinner from Hampshire hopes to grab a second opportunity to steal the limelight inside a week with a starring role in today’s T20 Blast Finals Day. The Hampshire bowler, 20, held his nerve to dismiss Roston Chase with a diving catch at mid-on in the second Test and remains in the England squad for next week’s Test at Lord’s.
But he is hoping to meet up on Monday as a NatWest T20 Blast winner. “You never know with T20 Finals Day as there are four very good sides with a lot of talent,” he said. “But you just hope that a few things go your way.” Crane was an unused squad member aged just 18 when two-time winners Hampshire made the finals day two years ago, losing to eventual winners Lancashire in the second semi-final.
Today Crane and a powerful-looking side go again in the second semi-final against Notts Outlaws. But this time he says he feels a different player.
“I have a lot more experience under my belt now but having been at a finals day, I can’t wait to put that to good use,” he said.
Crane gained a great deal of confidence from his catch on the final day at Headingley. “The experience of fielding in a Test match is one that you can’t obviously forget,” he said.
“I had been on one ball and I just saw it in the air and dived, tumbled to the floor and was a bit surprised to see it there in my hand. I’m not really sure how it went in. But it was a great experience being up there for a week and working in the nets with spin coach Saqlain Mushtaq, so hopefully that will put me in good form for Edgbaston.”
NatWest T20 Blast Finals Day, Edgbaston: 11am – Birmingham Bears v Glamorgan; 2.30pm – Hampshire v Notts Outlaws; 6.45pm – Final. Live on Sky Sports 2.