England call up Patterson-White and give Carse Lions route back

England have selected uncapped spinner Liam Patterson-White for their Test tour of South Africa and included Brydon Carse in the Lions squad, creating a possible route back to the senior side for the fast bowler. BBC Sport reported that Patterson-White replaces Shoaib Bashir in the 15-player Test group for a three-match series beginning in Johannesburg on 17 December.

Carse could be brought into the Test squad as cover for Josh Tongue, who will miss the opening match to attend the birth of his second child. Tongue is also absent from England’s one-day series in Australia with a toe injury and is due to see a specialist. His participation in the tourists’ only warm-up match before the Tests will depend on that injury.

Carse has not been selected in an England squad since an incident outside a Derby nightclub in August, when he was handcuffed in circumstances described as an arrest followed by de-arrest. According to BBC cricket correspondent Stephan Shemilt, police have ended their investigation into a potential assault, but a Cricket Regulator charge remains awaiting a verdict. Carse has continued playing for Durham and remained eligible for England selection throughout that period.

Selector Marcus North said England now considered the Lions the appropriate setting for Carse’s return to the international environment after conversations during his time away. A senior recall is not guaranteed: Carse will compete with other Lions seamers for the opportunity to cover Tongue. North confirmed England intend to add one or two players to the Test group after assessing the Lions bowlers in training and competition.

Patterson-White earned his first call-up after taking 42 wickets for Nottinghamshire last season, the highest total by a spinner in County Championship Division One. The left-armer, who turned 28 on Sunday, also has three first-class centuries. Bashir instead joins the Lions, despite receiving a central contract last month. North said England remained committed to Bashir’s development but considered Patterson-White the better option for the balance of this particular touring side.

The series will be England’s first under new head coach Stephen Fleming, with Joe Root named captain. Jacob Bethell returns following a knee injury, adding another option to a batting group whose top six has not yet been settled. Harry Brook, Bethell and Jordan Cox will miss the final T20 against Australia to travel to South Africa, with Will Jacks set to captain England for the first time in Brook’s absence.