HAMPSHIRE are expected to recall Mason Crane for their big LV County Championship match against Somerset at Taunton.

With the weather forecasters predicting a dry week in the west country, the likelihood is that the young leg spinner will be brought back into the side for the crunch relegation clash against Marcus Trescothick’s side.

Crane took ten wickets at just 22.8 apiece from his first two Championship appearances before being left out of the side that beat Durham at seamer-friendly Chester-le-Street.

But the expected dry weather will make him a valuable bowling option at batter-friendly Taunton, so the 18 year-old should make his third first-class appearance on Wednesday.

Worcestershire were thrashed by Sussex by an innings and 63 runs within 24 hours of Hampshire completing their seven-wicket win against Durham last Thursday.

It meant Hampshire climbed 13 points above the side they pipped to last year’s division two title.

Crucially, they are also only five points off third-from bottom Somerset, who occupy the nearest safety spot after an innings-and-126-run thrashing by champions-elect Yorkshire at Headingley.

With each county having three games left to play, it promises to be a tense month.

LV County Championship division one (bottom four): Sussex 14 played/146 points, Somerset 13/133, Hampshire 13/128, Worcestershire 14/120.

Relegation run-ins

Sussex: Somerset (h), Yorkshire (a).
Somerset: Hants (a), Sussex(h), Warwickshire (h).
Hants: Somerset (a), Yorkshire (a), Nottinghamshire (a).
Worcestershire: Durham (a), Middlesex (h).