This England leggie learnt his art from an Aussie

Ahead of the upcoming Ashes starting November 23, it appears that rookie leg-spinner Mason Crane (England) was mentored by former Australian spinner Stuart MacGill.

The 20-year-old Crane was the first overseas cricketer to don the New South Wales jersey since Imran Khan in 1984-85.

 

When talking about leg-spinners and Australia, Shane Warne is the first name that pops up. The Aussies probably have the best story to share in the history of wrist spin. Ahead of the Magellan Ashes Series starting later this month, it appears that Mason Crane — a leggie and one of the new recruits in the England set-up — owes his trickery to a former Australian spinner, Stuart MacGill.

The former Aussie — who flaunts 208 scalps in 44 Tests — mentored Crane during his stint with Gordon in Sydney grade cricket last winter.

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The 20-year-old Crane was the first overseas cricketer to don the New South Wales jersey since Imran Khan in 1984-85. Though the youngster idolised Warne, he didn’t mind learning the tactical side of leg break from MacGill. Why not? After all, he took three straight seven-wicket hauls in the Australian domestic season.

By far the proudest moment of my career recieving my baggy blue from @scgmacgill great week topped off with a great win with great blokes pic.twitter.com/SrvS8HW2Dw

— Mason Crane (@masoncrane32) March 10, 2017

 

“He has had a big influence. Stu’s been great and last winter I had a great winter here with him. I worked really hard and got a lot out of it. He was brilliant and he is as passionate as anyone I’ve seen talking about bowling and that came across even when I just spoke to him over coffee,” Crane told The Guardian.

Crane made his international debut, albeit in T20 cricket, in June this year against South Africa. He had picked up the wicket of AB de Villiers in the second match of that series.