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England have announced their squads for the upcoming South Africa tour, with Jacob Bethell returning to the Test setup and Shoaib Bashir missing out on selection for the senior side. The selectors have named a 15-member Test squad for the three-match series, which begins on December 17, while uncapped left-arm spinner Liam Patterson-White has earned his maiden call-up.
The selection also brings Sam Cook into the Test group, while Josh Tongue is fit again after his injury concerns. Sam Curran has not been considered as he is due to get married. England have also confirmed their red-ball and white-ball squads for the Lions tour, with several experienced players, including Bashir, Ollie Pope and Matthew Potts, included in the development setup.
Jacob Bethell returns as England drop Shoaib Bashir for South Africa tour
Bethell is back in England's Test squad after missing the Pakistan series because of a knee injury. His return comes alongside the selection of Patterson-White, who impressed in the County Championship and will now get an opportunity to make his international debut.
Bashir, meanwhile, has not been included in the senior Test group but will feature for the England Lions. The selectors have also preferred Essex seamer Sam Cook over Matthew Fisher for the Test squad. England will begin their three-Test assignment against the reigning world champions on December 17, with Stephen Fleming taking charge of the Test team for the first time as head coach.
The players not involved in the ongoing white-ball commitments in Australia will travel to South Africa early for a preparation camp in Pietermaritzburg. Sam Cook, Emilio Gay, Dan Lawrence, Patterson-White, Ollie Robinson and Jamie Smith are scheduled to join the Lions group there from November 25.
England Test squad for South Africa tour
Squad: Joe Root (captain), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Sam Cook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Dan Lawrence, Liam Patterson-White, Ollie Robinson, Jamie Smith and Josh Tongue.
England Lions squads for South Africa tour announced
England have also confirmed two squads for the Lions' tour, which will run from November 26 to December 21. The group will play three 50-over matches and two four-day games against South Africa A between December 1 and 21.
Brydon Carse returns to the England setup after police dropped an investigation into an alleged assault at a nightclub in Derby. Bashir, who has missed the senior Test selection, is part of the Lions red-ball group alongside former England players Pope and Potts.
England Lions red-ball squad: Shoaib Bashir, Brydon Carse, James Coles, Mason Crane, Henry Crocombe, Matthew Fisher, Jack Haynes, George Hill, Eddie Jack, Ben Mayes, Ben McKinney, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, James Rew, Thomas Rew, Mitch Stanley, Olly Stone and Asa Tribe.
England Lions 50-over squad: Rehan Ahmed, Brydon Carse, Mason Crane, Adam Finch, Matthew Fisher, Calvin Harrison, Jack Haynes, George Hill, Ben Mayes, Ben McKinney, Ollie Pope, James Rew, Naavya Sharma, Ekansh Singh and Asa Tribe.
Marcus North explains selections for South Africa tour
England men's national selector Marcus North said the team had been picked with the challenge of facing the reigning world Test champions in mind. He also pointed to Patterson-White's strong domestic season as a key reason behind his maiden call-up.
North highlighted that the spinner finished the summer as the leading wicket-taker among spinners in Division One of the County Championship, claiming 42 wickets at an average of 25.11. He added that the Lions tour would give players valuable preparation in South African conditions and provide England with further options during the Test series.
The three-Test contest will be Fleming's first assignment as England men's Test head coach, with the visitors set to face a South African side that recently returned to the top of the ICC Test rankings after a 2-1 series victory over Australia.
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