Who is Mason Crane? England's leg-spinner back after nine years, now facing Pakistan

Mason Crane is one of the most searched names in Pakistan on Google today, and many fans are asking the same question: who is he?

The short answer

Crane is a 29-year-old English leg-spinner who has been called up for England’s ODI tri-series in Pakistan, his first international selection in nearly nine years, according to the ICC.

His story so far

Crane was once seen as England’s next big spin hope:

• He played three times for England in 2017 and early 2018, as a 20-year-old.
• Two of those were T20Is against South Africa. His only wicket was a famous one: AB de Villiers.
• His last game was the final Test of the 2017-18 Ashes in Sydney, where he dismissed Usman Khawaja, who had already made 171. Australia won that series 4-0.

Then he dropped out of the picture for most of a decade.

Why he’s back

Crane has been in strong form on the English county circuit in 2026:

• 34 wickets in 14 County Championship matches
• 15 wickets in 10 Vitality Blast T20 games

The ECB named him in a 16-man squad captained by Harry Brook, with Adil Rashid and Sam Curran also included and Jofra Archer rested. If he plays, it would be his ODI debut.

What he said

Speaking on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, Crane said he “didn’t really expect” the call-up and that it came “out of the blue”. He admitted he had once accepted another chance might never come, and had put too much pressure on himself. Now, he said, he has his spark back, bowls more variations and doesn’t want to be a “highlights reel bowler” who relies on the odd great delivery.

Why Pakistan fans should watch him

Leg-spin can be dangerous in Pakistan, especially in the middle overs and as pitches tire. With Rashid as the senior spinner, England could pair two leg-spinners in Lahore, where the series moves from October 25. Pakistan’s batters have handled spin well at home in recent years, but a fresh face with variations is always a test.

His story is also a good reminder: a career can restart years later if you keep taking wickets.