Mason 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.
Mason Crane was on the field at Headingley as a substitute fielder
Now the young leg-spinner from Hampshire is hoping to grab a second opportunity to steal the limelight inside a week with a starring role in today’s T20 Finals Day.
The Hampshire bowler, 20, held his nerve to dismiss Roston Chase in Leeds with a diving catch at mid-on, and remains in the squad for the third Test at Lord’s.
But he is hoping to meet up on Monday as a NatWest T20 Blast winner and given the way his summer is going, he has a decent chance of that being the case.
“You never know with T20 Finals Day as there are four very good sides with a lot of talent,” he said. “But you just have to hope that a few things go your way. I can’t wait to get going.”
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.
You never know with T20 Finals Day as there are four very good sides with a lot of talent
“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.