England has announced its Test squad for the winter tour of South Africa, with Jacob Bethell returning from injury and Liam Patterson-White earning his first call-up. These are the only two changes to the squad that defeated Pakistan 3-0 at the end of the home summer.
Bethell, an explosive player, sustained a knee injury during the ODI series against India this summer. He is currently with England's white-ball squad in Australia and will resume his red-ball career against South Africa.
Patterson-White, a 28-year-old left-arm finger spinner for Nottinghamshire, was the most prolific spinner in Division One of the County Championship this summer, taking 42 wickets at an average of 25.11. His performance led to his first ECB development contract and now a maiden call-up.
This series against the reigning ICC Test world champions will mark Stephen Fleming's first as England Test head coach. Marcus Trescothick had taken temporary charge for the Pakistan matches after Fleming's appointment.
Joe Root will captain the squad. Five players, including Root, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, and Ben Duckett, will return to the UK after the ongoing ODI series against Australia before flying to South Africa on December 2. Bethell, Harry Brook, and Jordan Cox, who are also with England's T20 squad in Australia, will fly directly to South Africa after the fourth T20 in Sydney on November 29. The remaining players, including Patterson-White, Sam Cook, Emilio Gay, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Robinson, and Jamie Smith, will travel to South Africa early with the England Lions squad for a preparation camp on November 25.