England clear way for Carse return and drop Bashir

England have named their squad for the upcoming three-Test series in South Africa, handing an uncapped call-up to Nottinghamshire spinner Liam Patterson-White while dropping Shoaib Bashir. Pace bowler Brydon Carse was named in the England Lions squad, opening a pathway for his senior return as potential cover for Josh Tongue, who will miss the opening Test for the birth of his child. Carse had previously been excluded following an off-field incident outside a Derby nightclub.

Bashir was omitted from the senior squad for the first time in his career, instead joining Carse on the Lions tour alongside other contenders. The tour will be England's first under new head coach Stephen Fleming, who helped select the squad as selector Marcus North confirmed plans to potentially add senior cover from the Lions bowling group.