HAMPSHIRE leg-spinner Mason Crane celebrated his Sheffield Shield debut – he is the first overseas player to represent New South Wales in over 30 years – with the wicket of Dutchman Tom Cooper on the opening day of a rain truncated match against South Australia at the SCG.
He took 1-24 in a brief five-over spell, having Holland international Cooper caught (19) before the Redbacks closed at 169-5.
The 20-year-old, a former England Under-19 international, has caught the eye playing Sydney grade cricket for Gordon and has also worked in the New South Wales nets with ex-Australia international Stuart MacGill.
The last overseas player to represent New South Wales in Australia's domestic first-class competition was former Pakistan skipper Imran Khan during the 1984/85 campaign.
The former Lancing College youngster has been a revelation in Australia this winter.
Bouncing and turning the ball on Sydney’s rock hard surfaces, Crane has 47 victims (over 65 in all competitions) and is comfortably the leading wicket taker in the powerful New South Wales Premiership.
He took seven wickets in three consecutive Grade matches in January for Gordon - who top the log alongside Sydney University – but had his prospects of topping a wicket half-century haul when this weekend’s Grade matches were washed out by a torrential hailstorm.
Crane admitted he was “pinching himself” at his selection.
“"I've bowled nearly 500 match overs out here, and there's really no substitute for that," he says. "I feel very cricket-fit, and in great rhythm.
“I’ve been training with the New South Wales second team squad and got the word a weeks or so ago that I might be in with a chance of playing against South Australia.
“To play here at the SCG is beyond my wildest dreams. I’ve watched some Test and Big Bash cricket here this winter, but to walk out from that historic pavilion will be amazing.”
England and Wales Cricket Board's lead spin-bowling coach Peter Such said: “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.
“Mason has had to make his own way through a pretty touch cricketing environment out there (Sydney) and for him to be selected for NSW in the Sheffield Shield is the icing on the cake.”
Crane’s NSW debut, alongside returning Australia pace-man Pat Cummins, is likely to be a one-off as he will shortly on his travels again, this time to Dubai to play under Hampshire team-mate James Vince in the South-North one-day series in the Emirates.
Tom Alsop and Liam Dawson are also in the South team for the three match series which begins at the ICC Academy in Dubai next Wednesday.
He took 1-24 in a brief five-over spell, having Holland international Cooper caught (19) before the Redbacks closed at 169-5.
The 20-year-old, a former England Under-19 international, has caught the eye playing Sydney grade cricket for Gordon and has also worked in the New South Wales nets with ex-Australia international Stuart MacGill.
The last overseas player to represent New South Wales in Australia's domestic first-class competition was former Pakistan skipper Imran Khan during the 1984/85 campaign.
The former Lancing College youngster has been a revelation in Australia this winter.
Bouncing and turning the ball on Sydney’s rock hard surfaces, Crane has 47 victims (over 65 in all competitions) and is comfortably the leading wicket taker in the powerful New South Wales Premiership.
He took seven wickets in three consecutive Grade matches in January for Gordon - who top the log alongside Sydney University – but had his prospects of topping a wicket half-century haul when this weekend’s Grade matches were washed out by a torrential hailstorm.
Crane admitted he was “pinching himself” at his selection.
“"I've bowled nearly 500 match overs out here, and there's really no substitute for that," he says. "I feel very cricket-fit, and in great rhythm.
“I’ve been training with the New South Wales second team squad and got the word a weeks or so ago that I might be in with a chance of playing against South Australia.
“To play here at the SCG is beyond my wildest dreams. I’ve watched some Test and Big Bash cricket here this winter, but to walk out from that historic pavilion will be amazing.”
England and Wales Cricket Board's lead spin-bowling coach Peter Such said: “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.
“Mason has had to make his own way through a pretty touch cricketing environment out there (Sydney) and for him to be selected for NSW in the Sheffield Shield is the icing on the cake.”
Crane’s NSW debut, alongside returning Australia pace-man Pat Cummins, is likely to be a one-off as he will shortly on his travels again, this time to Dubai to play under Hampshire team-mate James Vince in the South-North one-day series in the Emirates.
Tom Alsop and Liam Dawson are also in the South team for the three match series which begins at the ICC Academy in Dubai next Wednesday.
