Mason Crane has been recalled to England’s one-day international squad for this month’s tri-series in Pakistan, giving the Glamorgan leg-spinner another opportunity at international level.
Crane is included in Harry Brook’s 16-player group for the tournament against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. England will play each of their opponents twice in the round-robin stage, with the top two sides progressing to the final in Lahore on 31 October.
The 29-year-old’s only Test appearance came against Australia in Sydney in 2018. He also played two T20 internationals in 2017.
National selector Marcus North said Crane had earned another chance through consistent domestic performances for Glamorgan across formats. The BBC reported that Crane took 34 wickets in this season’s County Championship and made his first two first-class centuries, while the Guardian said he had taken 51 wickets across all formats.
Crane has been chosen as England continue to assess their spin options in a 50-over programme which is building towards next year’s World Cup in southern Africa. That wider context does not guarantee a place in the XI, but the tri-series offers a defined competitive window for him to show how his leg-spin fits into England’s plans.
Crane returns as England reshape bowling options
England’s squad contains two returning players in Adil Rashid and Sam Curran. Rashid missed the ODI series against Sri Lanka after a hand injury, having played in the preceding T20 series, while Curran is returning from the groin problem that ended his domestic summer, according to Sky Sports.
Crane joins Adil Rashid in England’s spin resources. The Guardian reported that Crane had been preferred to Rehan Ahmed as the back-up wrist-spin option after Ahmed was omitted for the deciding ODI against Sri Lanka.
There is also a workload decision concerning Jofra Archer, who has been rested following a busy summer across England formats and The Hundred. North said the move was intended to manage Archer’s workload ahead of further tours of Australia and South Africa during the winter.
Jos Buttler will miss the Pakistan trip because of the hamstring injury suffered during last month’s series against Sri Lanka. Jordan Cox is expected to take the wicketkeeping role in Buttler’s absence, the Guardian reported.
James Coles and Henry Crocombe are uncapped selections. Crocombe is due to become a Surrey player on 1 November, Surrey said, but has been selected while still listed as a Sussex player. The squad also includes Tom Banton, Joe Root, Ben Duckett, Gus Atkinson and Will Jacks.
Pakistan fixtures provide immediate test
England’s first match is against Pakistan at Rawalpindi on 20 October, followed by a meeting with Sri Lanka at the same ground on 22 October. They then face Pakistan in Lahore on 25 October and Sri Lanka there on 29 October.
The tournament begins with Pakistan playing Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on 18 October. The final is scheduled for Gaddafi Stadium on 31 October, after the six group matches.
The format gives England four group games rather than a single bilateral series, and it puts Crane’s recall in a competitive setting immediately. England’s selectors have described the trip as a chance for the ODI group to test itself in different conditions against quality opposition.
For Crane, selection is the first step rather than confirmation of a playing place. Rashid remains in the squad after recovering from injury. But Crane’s domestic output and renewed international opportunity mean his performances in training and, if selected, during the tri-series will be closely relevant to England’s evolving 50-over resources.
Brook will captain the side, with Brendon McCullum leading a coaching group that includes Jeetan Patel, Mike Yardy, David Saker and Carl Hopkinson. England then travel to Australia for white-ball matches in November before three Tests in South Africa in December.