HAMPSHIRE teenager Mason Crane is now world-class - but is unlikely to play when the season starts tomorrow.

That was the admission of Hampshire coach Dale Benkenstein ahead of Warwickshire’s visit to the Ageas Bowl.

Leg-spinner Crane took ten wickets in his first three County Championship matches last year - including 5-35 in the first innings of the corresponding match of last season.

Such was his progress, the 19 year-old was even mentioned as a candidate for England’s winter Test squad by Benkenstein’s former Durham teammate Steve Harmison.

Benkenstein believes Crane, who took seven U19 World Cup wickets in February, is bowling better than ever.

“Mason is world class at the moment,” he said.

“He hardly bowls a bad ball, he’s really looking impressive and his batting is also improving.

“I’m just really pleased that after doing so well last year he has come back better than he was before, which doesn’t always happen.

“He’s a proper leg spinner who bowls a hard spinning leg-break and has become more consistent.

“He’s also added one or two little things.

“But those extra little things are bonuses. What pays the rent for him is his leg spin and he’s hardly bowling a bad ball.

“The main area of improvement is that consistency. At the moment he is telling you what he will bowl and then he delivers it. He’s very exciting.”

Despite Crane’s progress, Hampshire are likely to have Liam Dawson as their main spin option against Warwickshire, as they usually do in early season.

“Even world-class spinners come here and don’t do anything [in April], seamers are the guys who win matches - that’s the way it is,” said Benkenstein.

“Daws is probably bowling as well as anyone in the country, we’re very lucky to have his all-round ability.

“But over the course of six months Mason’s someone who will play a big role.

“If he can keep improving his batting there’s more chance he’ll play and in the summer it’ll be easier for him to get in the 11.”

It is easy to forget that Hampshire have another highly promising bowler in all-rounder Brad Taylor, the England U19 captain whose off-spin has complemented Crane’s leg breaks in Hampshire’s age-group sides for several years and who made his first-class debut for the county as a 16 year-old.

“Brad is coming along beautifully as well,” said Benkenstein.

“His bowling’s going through a little bit of a dip but that’s part of the learning curve.

“The rest of his game is moving forward quickly, he’s going to be a fantastic cricketer.”