Mason Crane returns to England squad for Pakistan ODI tri-series

Mason Crane was named in England’s 16-player squad on 1 October for the men’s one-day international tri-series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Pakistan, giving the Glamorgan leg-spinner his first England selection since 2018. The recall offers him a chance to compete for an ODI debut as England test their squad in Rawalpindi and Lahore later this month.

Crane remains uncapped in the 50-over international format. His previous England appearance came in the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney in 2018, and he had also played two T20 internationals in 2017, according to the England and Wales Cricket Board. Being selected for the tour does not establish whether he will play in any of its matches.

Why England recalled Mason Crane

England men’s national selector Marcus North pointed to Crane’s work for Glamorgan during the summer. In the ECB’s squad announcement, North said: ‘Mason Crane has been performing consistently for Glamorgan across both formats during the summer. He’s an experienced, high-class leg-spinner who thoroughly deserves another opportunity at international level.’ The selection puts that county form back in the international frame after a lengthy absence.

The Guardian reported that Crane scored two first-class centuries and took 51 wickets across formats this summer. Those batting figures add context to his season, although he has been chosen as a leg-spinner. His place in the squad follows the recent ODI involvement of fellow wrist-spinner Rehan Ahmed, who is absent from the 16-player group.

Who else is in England’s ODI squad?

Harry Brook will captain the 16-player squad. Adil Rashid returns after a hand injury kept him out of England’s recent 2-1 ODI series win over Sri Lanka, while Sam Curran comes back from a groin injury, the ECB said. Their returns give England two experienced options alongside a group that includes players seeking further international opportunities.

Jofra Archer has been rested to manage his workload after a busy summer. Jos Buttler misses the tour because of the hamstring injury he sustained in the second ODI against Sri Lanka. Those absences change the make-up of the travelling group, though the ECB has not said in its squad announcement who will take every on-field role during the series.

Sussex players James Coles and Henry Crocombe are also included. The ECB described both as uncapped and said they had been part of white-ball squads this summer. The remaining names are Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jordan Cox, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Joe Root and Josh Tongue.

When and where England will play Pakistan and Sri Lanka

The tri-series begins on 18 October, when Pakistan face Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi. England’s first match is against Pakistan there on 20 October, followed by Sri Lanka on 22 October. The teams then move to Lahore, where England meet Pakistan again on 25 October and Sri Lanka again on 29 October. Pakistan and Sri Lanka play their second meeting in Lahore on 27 October.

The top two sides are scheduled to meet in the final at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on 31 October. The ECB published the fixture plan in August and repeated the dates in its squad announcement. The schedule gives each team two matches against each opponent before the final, with England’s four group games split evenly between Rawalpindi and Lahore.

What the tri-series offers England

North described the trip as ‘another valuable opportunity for our ODI squad to test themselves against quality opposition in different conditions.’ The Guardian reported that the tournament is part of England’s preparation for next year’s 50-over World Cup. It is an opportunity to assess players and combinations in match conditions, but the squad announcement does not set out a World Cup selection decision.

For Crane, the immediate development is a return to the England group after his Sydney Test, with his county performances cited by the national selector. Whether that becomes a first ODI cap depends on selection during the tour. England’s opening match against Pakistan on 20 October is the first scheduled chance for the team to put its new squad together on the field.