MASON Crane is available to play for Hampshire instead of England Under-19s.

The leg-spin prodigy is in Hampshire’s squad for this weekend’s Royal London One-Day Cup double header, against Middlesex at The Ageas Bowl tomorrow (10.30am start) and Glamorgan at Cardiff on Sunday.

Now he is also available to play against Essex on Tuesday and at Warwickshire on Wednesday, despite being included in a 16-man squad to play in next week’s four-day ‘Test’ against Australia U19s at Durham, along with Hampshire teammates Tom Alsop and Brad Taylor.

It is a big boost for Hampshire ahead of four games in five days.

Director of cricket Giles White said: “England felt that it was better for Mason to be continuing in our first team.

“It’s common sense and gives them a chance to look at another player.”

Crane will be aiming to help Hampshire bounce back after tasting defeat for the first time in six matches since breaking into the first team three weeks ago.

Bowling in the One-Day Cup is a difficult skill for any bowler but particularly spinners, with only four fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle during the non-powerplay overs.

Crane conceded 70 from ten overs in Thursday night’s five-wicket loss against Kent at Canterbury, but still claimed two more big scalps in Sam Northeast and Sam Billings.

“He’s been very good and has looked very comfortable, which is something you never be sure of when a young player comes in,” continued White.

“Some make the transition seamlessly, other take time, but so far Mason has made that step without any issues at all.”

White, once a promising leg-spinner himself, added: “It’s the hardest skill in the game, so it bodes well to have such an attacking leg-spinner.”

The Ageas Family Festival takes place alongside tomorrow’s game and, afterwards, there will be a Boyzone gig.

Hampshire (from): Adams, Carberry, Vince (c), Wheater, Gatting, Smith, Berg, Yasir Arafat, Wood, Briggs, Dawson, Crane, Edwards.