Bethell returns to England squad for South Africa Test series

England have named their 15-player squad for the three-game Test tour of South Africa. The series will be a part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025/27.

England are currently at the sixth place in the ICC World Test Championship standings, with a point percentage of 38.64, whereas South Africa are at second with a point percentage of 71.43.

Squad:

Joe Root (c), 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, Josh Tongue.

Bethell who has missed out from competitive cricket since July 2026, is back in the line up while Shoaib Bashir has been dropped. 

Ollie Pope was part of the Test setup for the Pakistan series, but misses out on this squad.

Liam Patterson-White, the most successful spinner in the County Championship in the 2026 season, takes the spinner's role from Bashir. Dan Lawrence, who last featured in the Test series against Pakistan, having made his comeback into the setup after almost two years, is another batting option who can turn his arm over. 

Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Ollie Robinson, Sam Cook and Sonny Baker will be boosting the pace attack. 

England will tour South Africa following the conclusion of their limited-overs tour of Australia.

England Men’s National Selector, Marcus North, said:

“We have selected a strong and balanced squad that is ready for the challenge of facing a South African team that are ICC Test World Champions and who returned to the top of the ICC Test rankings following their recent 2-1 series win over Australia.

“There are two changes to the squad that defeated Pakistan 3-0 at the end of the home summer with Liam Patterson-White earning his debut call-up while Jacob Bethell returns from a knee injury."

Schedule:

First Test: 17-21 December, Johannesburg

Second Test: 26-30 December, Centurion

Third Test: 3-7 January, Cape Town