Mason Crane has been recalled to England’s ODI squad for the upcoming Pakistan tri-series, ending an absence from international cricket that stretches back nearly nine years.
The leg-spinner, now 29, last represented England in the fifth Test of the 2017-18 Ashes tour in Sydney, where he dismissed Usman Khawaja. His only other international appearances came in two T20 Internationals against South Africa, in which his sole wicket was AB de Villiers. Crane admitted the call-up came as a genuine surprise.
“I didn’t really expect it, to be honest. It was a bit out of the blue. But it’s really cool and I’m buzzing. I think there was a period a few years ago where I was sort of resigned to the fact it may not come again, where I maybe put a bit too much pressure on myself and wasn’t particularly enjoying it,” Crane said on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast.
What form earned Crane his recall?
Crane’s performances in 2026 domestic cricket for Glamorgan made a strong case for his return. He took 34 wickets in 14 County Championship matches and added 15 wickets in 10 Vitality Blast appearances during the same season, demonstrating consistent output across both formats. He has also spoken about the work he has put into his game as a leg-spinner. Crane elaborated further on the specific improvements he has made to his bowling.
“But the last couple of years I feel like I’ve I sort of got that spark back and the ambition that comes with it. I don’t want to just be a highlights reel bowler, every now and then bowl a really good ball and just live off that. I pride myself on trying to play to the situations really, trying to work out how I’m going to get the most out of a wicket and get a particular guy out. I’ve also given myself a bit more freedom, I guess, with the ball now. I try and bowl more variations, but I’m also better at bowling them now. It’s about sort of adding as many strings to your bow. It’s really important,” Crane said.
What is the tri-series schedule and its wider context?
The tri-series involves England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, with matches spread across Rawalpindi and Lahore. England open their campaign against Pakistan in Rawalpindi on October 20, before facing Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on October 22. The group stage continues with England versus Pakistan in Lahore on October 25 and England versus Sri Lanka in Lahore on October 29. The final is scheduled for Lahore on October 31.
The series also serves as preparation for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, giving selectors an opportunity to assess players in conditions that are relevant to the tournament build-up. For Crane, the tri-series represents his first ODI appearance and his first international cricket of any kind since January 2018.
England squad for the ODI tri-series vs PAK and SL:
Harry Brook (c), Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, James Coles, Jordan Cox, Mason Crane, Henry Crocombe, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root and Josh Tongue.
