England have selected their Test squad for the three-match series in South Africa, with Joe Root as captain. The squad includes uncapped left-arm spinner Liam Patterson-White, who earned his first call-up after taking 42 Division One wickets in the County Championship at an average of 25.11. Jacob Bethell returns after recovering from a knee injury that disrupted his summer.
Only two changes were made from the squad that defeated Pakistan 3-0 at home. National selector Marcus North highlighted Patterson-White's credentials, stating the Nottinghamshire spinner claimed more Division One wickets than any other spinner this season and received his first ECB Development Contract. Ollie Pope, Shoaib Bashir, Brydon Carse and Matthew Potts were omitted and will travel with the England Lions instead.
This is Stephen Fleming's first series as England's Test head coach. The squad will arrive in three groups due to scheduling conflicts with the white-ball tour of Australia. Initial arrivals on November 25 include those not involved in Australia, while others depart after the ODI series on December 2.
