by Alex Smith

Mason Crane is set to become Hampshire’s youngest Test player after being included in England’s squad for next week’s historic day-nighter against West Indies.

The 20 year-old leg-spin sensation is one of two new names in the squad alongside Surrey’s Mark Stoneman, who is Alastair Cook’s latest opening partner.

After taking 3-21 in Hampshire Natwest T20 Blast win against Glamorgan last night, he described his meteoric rise as ‘a whirlwind’.

“To be honest I didn’t think I would be called up this summer,” Crane admitted.

“You see it written about and you dream in your head that maybe you could do but thought probably not this year. I have been very lucky. It has very much felt like it has come quickly.

“Since I was in Australia it has all felt like a bit of a whirlwind, that was an amazing experience, and since I have been back it has been the same.

“I am very lucky and privileged to be here now.

“When you start playing cricket you want to play for England and then play Test cricket for England.

“It is an amazing feeling to get called up and hopefully I put in some hard work now and I’ll get a game.

“Test cricket is the pinnacle and it is about getting my head down now and hopefully being in the side.”

Crane has already been given ‘the talk’ by teammate Liam Dawson, who played in two Tests this summer, since his selection.

“Daws was one of the first people to tell me,” Crane said.

“He’s a great guy to be around and is a bit old and see a bit more than me.

“It is great to pick his brains sometimes.”

Crane has also revealed the moment he was told his England dream became a reality.

Crane said: “I was just in my house chilling when I got the phone call.

“My housemates were away playing for the second XI so I was all on my own.

“I called mum first then my dad before letting everyone else know before trying to concentrating on the game.

“Maybe I will sit down and have a couple of quiet ones but nothing too much - there isn’t enough time.”

Crane’s call-up for Edgbaston comes after his impressive T20 debut series against South Africa in June.

The forthcoming series, which gets under way at 2pm on August 17, is England’s final Test outing before they defend the Ashes this winter.

The decision to include Crane may, in part, be down to England having one eye on the Australia series, the Hampshire spinner having bolstered his reputation by last winter becoming the first overseas player in more than 30 years to represent New South Wales.

England squad: J Root (captain), M Ali, J Anderson, J Bairstow, S Broad, A Cook, M Crane, D Malan, T Roland-Jones, B Stokes, M Stoneman, T Westley, C Woakes.