HAMPSHIRE leg-spinner Mason Crane admitted it has been nice to feel “fully fit” as he looks to make the most of the club’s shortened summer.

The England international featured in the Ageas Bowl side’s rain-hit Bob Willis Trophy contest against Essex at Arundel last week, before also playing in a washed out T20 contest with Kent two days later.

The 23-year-old has spent the past two-and-a-half years since his Test debut in Sydney forced to stop and start due to multiple back fractures.

After that bow against Australia, Crane only managed to play eight matches for Hampshire in 2018 – all in the triumphant Royal London One-Day Cup campaign, albeit with injections to get him through the final.

Last summer, he managed a healthy dose of cricket across all three formats, although a slight relapse saw him miss a month during the Vitality Blast.

But now he is back to full fitness in 2020, Crane is keen to keep improving.

He said: “I am enjoying my bowling.

“It is nice to play red-ball cricket and be fully fit as well. If I want to bowl a bit quicker I can, and if I want to bowl a slightly longer spell, I can.

“Everybody knows the injury problems I’ve had but especially last year I wasn’t fit to play.

“This year has been nice to get out there and I feel I have improved in the meantime.”

Crane made his Test debut alongside England legend Sir Alastair Cook down under – the man who made an unbeaten 129 against Hampshire for Essex last week.

“It is good to play against players like Cook. He is obviously one of the best,” said the spinner.

“He is annoying to bowl at because he is so good but you have to appreciate how good he is.

“He played really well and the wicket didn’t give anyone too much. He got in and made it count.

“It is a lesson for everyone out there that once you get yourself in you have to make it a big one.”