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Hampshire's Mason Crane would be the first overseas player to represent the side in more than 30 years
Hampshire's Mason Crane is in line to make history in Sydney this week, having been included in the New South Wales squad for their Sheffield Shield match against South Australia at the SCG.
The 20-year-old legspinner has been called up after impressing on his ECB Overseas Placement, both with Gordon Cricket Club in Sydney Grade cricket, and in the nets with New South Wales – where he has been working closely with former Australia leggie Stuart MacGill.
If he makes the final XI, Crane would become NSW’s first overseas player in Australia’s domestic first-class competition since the former Pakistan captain Imran Khan made six appearances in 1984-5.
This week’s game is important for both New South Wales and South Australia, who are fourth and second respectively in a congested Shield table, and battling to stay in touch with champions Victoria with only two rounds of fixtures remaining.
It’s a fantastic achievement for Mason. Australian State teams don’t pick overseas players lightly, especially New South Wales, as their record shows, so to force his way in through weight of wickets, and also the impression he has made in their practice sessions, is a tribute both to his ability and the hard work he has put in.
He has come through our spin programme funded by the Brian Johnston Memorial Trust, and played at home and overseas for England Under-19s, and after a full season in county cricket with Hampshire, we thought an Overseas Placement would be ideal for his development.
He has excelled in Grade cricket for Gordon, taking a seven-wicket haul in three consecutive games to make him comfortably the leading wicket-taker in the competition.
Peter Such, ECB Lead Spin-Bowling Coach
Crane will be unavailable for the last round of matches next week because his white-ball skills have earned him selection in the South squad for the new North-South Series in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
He joins some familiar names in the New South Wales team, which is captained by former Surrey all-rounder Moises Henriques and also includes Ed Cowan, Doug Bollinger, Trent Copeland and Pat Cummins – the Australia fast bowler who is in contention to make his first Shield appearance for six years.
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