England have named a 15-member squad for their three-Test series in South Africa.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced the squad on Monday. Veteran batter Joe Root will captain the side.
The series runs from December 17 to January 7.
It counts towards the ICC World Test Championship, a cycle of Test matches between the top teams.
A Test is the longest form of cricket.
The hosts recently beat Australia 2-1 and returned to the top of the ICC Test rankings.
South Africa are also the reigning World Test Championship holders. So this is a demanding tour for England.
Key points
- England named 15 players on Monday for three Tests in South Africa.
- The first Test starts on December 17 in Johannesburg.
- Liam Patterson-White gets his first Test call-up after 42 county wickets.
- This is Stephen Fleming's first series as full-time Test head coach.
Who has England picked for this tour?
Liam Patterson-White is the biggest talking point. The 28-year-old left-arm finger spinner has never played a Test.
He earned his place after taking 42 wickets for Nottinghamshire in the County Championship, England's top domestic first-class competition.
His average of 25.11 means he conceded about 25 runs for each wicket.
He has been picked ahead of Shoaib Bashir, who is in the England Lions squad.
Jacob Bethell also returns after a knee injury that needed surgery. He missed England's home Test series against Pakistan.
His return gives the team another batting option.
So why does this tour matter for England?
This is Stephen Fleming's first series as full-time Test head coach.
The former New Zealand captain takes charge after Brendan McCullum was removed following a disappointing Ashes defeat in Australia.
Joe Root is chasing a 42nd Test century, which would extend his England record.
England's selector Marcus North said the squad is strong and balanced for the challenge.
What comes next before the first Test?
England play a warm-up match against a Cricket South Africa XI in Durban from December 9 to 11.
The first Test begins on December 17 at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.
The second Test starts on December 26 at Centurion Park.
The third Test, which could decide the series, begins on January 3 at Newlands in Cape Town.
- December 9-11Warm-up match against a Cricket South Africa XI in Durban
- December 17First Test begins at Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
- December 26Second Test starts at Centurion Park
- January 3Third Test, which could decide the series, begins at Newlands, Cape Town
Graphic: News Anek, from the facts in this report
