Mason Crane signs new Hampshire contract

Crane picked up 23 County Championship wickets in 2021 and almost bowled Hampshire to the title in their last game of the season

Mason Crane has signed a three-year contract extension with Hampshire.

The leg-spinner, who spent the winter as part of the England Lions tour of Australia, will remain at the Ageas Bowl until at least the end of the 2024 season.

Still only 25, Crane made his international debut five years ago but has not represented England since being thrown into the fifth Ashes Test of the 2017/18 series at Sydney.

Crane said: "I'm very happy to have signed a contract extension here at Hampshire. I've really enjoyed my time at Hampshire, so it was an easy decision to extend my stay and I’m looking forward to pushing for silverware."

He has overcome persistent injuries and started last year's LV=Insurance County Championship campaign in encouraging fashion, before almost bowling Hampshire to the title in the final round of matches.

In all, he picked up 23 wickets in just six matches, though his path was blocked at times by the all-round exploits of left-arm spinner Liam Dawson, whose dual role allowed Hampshire the option of an extra batter or seamer in conditions that weren't considered to suit Crane.

^{Crane is a key part of Hampshire's white-ball setup (Ashley Allen/Getty Images)}

Likewise, off-spinner Felix Organ was often picked ahead of Crane when Hampshire were keen to utilise the footmarks created by left-arm seamer Keith Barker or wanted Organ's extra batting.

Crane also showed off his improvements with the bat, however, facing 197 balls for 28 as nightwatchman to help clinch his side a draw against Yorkshire.

In white-ball cricket, Crane turned out for London Spirit in The Hundred under the stewardship of head coach Shane Warne, his idol growing up, and he claimed 16 wickets as Hampshire reached T20 Blast Finals Day.

Giles White, Hampshire's director of cricket, added: "We are delighted that Mason has committed his future to Hampshire. He has developed into a vital member of our squad and we are confident that he will contribute to any successes we have in the future."