Liam Patterson-White earns England Test call-up for South Africa tour
Nottinghamshire spinner Liam Patterson-White has received his first England Test call-up for the upcoming tour of South Africa, replacing Shoaib Bashir.
Uncapped Nottinghamshire spinner Liam Patterson-White has earned a maiden England Test call-up for the upcoming tour of South Africa, replacing Shoaib Bashir in the senior squad ahead of Stephen Fleming's first series in charge. England men's senior selection committee announced a 15-member squad on November 9 for the three-Test series in South Africa that begins next month. The touring party features Joe Root as captain, alongside 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.
According to The Guardian, Patterson-White's selection follows a productive County Championship campaign where he claimed 42 wickets in Division One at an average of 25.11, earning him the title of the division's leading spinner alongside a 12-month development contract from the England and Wales Cricket Board. Chief selector Marcus North explained the thinking behind the uncapped selection.
Media additions
"We were looking for someone to spin the ball away from the right-hander. Liam has got some great attributes. There’s a lot of consistency with Liam and his bowling. We feel he’s really matured over the last two seasons at Nottinghamshire."
Marcus North, England men's national selector, via The Guardian
While Patterson-White steps into the senior setup, Sky Sports noted that Shoaib Bashir has dropped down to the England Lions squad. North emphasized that the management remains invested in Bashir's development, noting that selections are evaluated on a series-by-series basis. Additional spin options within the main touring party include Joe Root, Dan Lawrence, and the returning Jacob Bethell.
Bethell returns to the red-ball squad after missing the home series against Pakistan due to a knee injury. According to The Independent, North confirmed that the management is keeping its options open rather than entering the series with a locked-in top six, with openers Ben Duckett and Emilio Gay facing pressure following modest returns over the home summer.
The tour marks the beginning of the Fleming era as red-ball head coach. Preparation will involve an early flight for selected players joining an England Lions training camp in Pietermaritzburg, while others finish white-ball commitments in Australia.
| Player | County Team | Tour Assignment |
|---|---|---|
| Liam Patterson-White | Nottinghamshire | Test Squad |
| Shoaib Bashir | Derbyshire | Lions Squad |
| Jacob Bethell | Warwickshire | Test Squad |
| Brydon Carse | Durham | Lions Squad |
Squad composition has also been shaped by personal absences and fitness developments. Josh Tongue is included in the touring party but is scheduled to miss the opening Test in Johannesburg to attend the birth of his second child, as reported by SportsTak. Meanwhile, all-rounder Sam Curran has made himself unavailable for selection to prioritize his wedding, a decision supported by management according to The Guardian.
Brydon Carse returns to the international setup via the Lions squad following a period of reflection after an off-field incident in Derby during August, as reported by Sky Sports. North indicated that members of the Lions squad could be promoted to the Test team during the preliminary fixtures.
What to watch next
- November 25: Lions squad and early Test players fly out for the preparation camp in Pietermaritzburg.
- December 9-11: Warm-up match against a CSA XI at Kingsmead Cricket Ground in Durban.
- December 17-21: First Test commences at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.
