Patterson-White called up for England's South Africa Test tour

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 9 Nov, 12:32 · Archive

England have named uncapped Nottinghamshire spinner Liam Patterson-White to their squad for three Tests in South Africa this winter.

England have named uncapped Nottinghamshire left-arm spinner Liam Patterson-White to their squad for the three Tests against South Africa that start in Johannesburg next month. The 28-year-old has been rewarded for a productive County Championship season in which he took 42 wickets, the most of any spinner in Division One.

Jacob Bethell returns to the squad after missing England's 3-0 sweep of Pakistan in the summer due to a knee injury that required surgery. Bethell will add to England's batting options alongside Joe Root and Dan Lawrence, who also offer spin-bowling support.

The squad represents the first assignment under Stephen Fleming, who has replaced Brendon McCullum as England's red-ball head coach. England have not lost a Test series in South Africa since 2000.

Shoaib Bashir, who has been a fixture in England's Test squads since making his debut in India in 2024, will travel only with the Lions instead. Marcus North, England's national selector, said the side looked for someone to spin the ball away from right-handers. The Highveld pitches in the first two Tests tend not to spin as much as other South African grounds, North added, so the selectors felt they had sufficient spin options without picking a second specialist spinner.

The call-up has created a selection dilemma in the top order. Jordan Cox deputised for Bethell against Pakistan, scoring a half-century in each of the three Tests. With only three spots available between Cox, Bethell, Emilio Gay and Lawrence, England may need to shuffle their batting line-up. Gay has retained his place despite averaging just 24 across his first six Tests since replacing Zak Crawley as opener.

How it is being reported

• Why England have called up Liam Patterson-White to Test squad to face South Africa, why it's NOT the end of dropped Shoaib Bashir's international career and the players feeling the heat in top-order logjamEngland have picked uncapped Nottinghamshire left-armer Liam Patterson-White as their sole specialist spinner in their 15-man Test squad to take on world No1 side South Africa next month.Daily Mail Sport · 9 Nov, 12:12
• Uncapped Notts spinner Patterson-White earns England Test call-up for South Africa28-year-old rewarded for county performances Bashir to tour with Lions along with seamer Carse The uncapped Nottinghamshire spinner Liam Patterson-White has been rewarded for his most productive County Championship season with a call-up up to England’s squad for their first red-ball assignment of the winter, the three Tests against South Africa that start in Johannesburg next month. The potential importance of spin bowling in South Africa was demonstrated in their recent home series against Australia, which the hosts won to propel themselves to No1 in the ICC rankings and in which their most…The Guardian · 9 Nov, 12:03
• Fleming turns to uncapped spinner for first Test series as England coachEngland have called up uncapped left-arm finger spinner Liam Patterson-White for this winter's three-Test assignment in South Africa, while Jacob Bethell returns after missing the Pakistan series in the summer through injury.Sky Sports · 9 Nov, 12:00

In this story: Liam Patterson-White · England · South Africa · Jacob Bethell · Stephen Fleming · Nottinghamshire · Shoaib Bashir · Jordan Cox

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log