England call up uncapped spinner Patterson-White for South Africa Test series

England have named uncapped Nottinghamshire left-arm spinner Liam Patterson-White in their squad for a three-Test series in South Africa, rewarding his County Championship-leading 42 wickets and offering lower-order batting depth. He is the squad’s only specialist spinner, with Shoaib Bashir left out of the main group and set to join the Lions; Joe Root, Dan Lawrence and Jacob Bethell provide additional spin options. Selectors say the Highveld is generally less spin-friendly than the conditions in South Africa’s recent series against Australia, though that series’ success for spinner Simon Harmer showed spin can still matter. Bethell returns from injury, while England have several contenders for limited batting places, including Jordan Cox and Emilio Gay. The tour will be Stephen Fleming’s first series as England’s red-ball head coach.