Jacob Bethell was called up due to a knee injury, and spinner Liam Patterson-White received his first Test call-up for England’s three-Test series in South Africa. Following Brendan McCullum’s dismissal after a humiliating Ashes loss in Australia, England announced its squad on Monday for what will be Stephen Fleming’s debut series as head coach.
The England Lions will play five games in South Africa from November 26 to December 21, 2026. Prior to the first game, a training camp is planned for November 25. The two teams announced for the series against South Africa A, which consists of two First-Class four-day games and three 50-over matches, include Somerset pair James Rew and Thomas Rew as notable additions.
Thomas Rew is only named in the red-ball format, but James Rew is selected for both the 15-player white-ball team and the 18-player red-ball group. With two brothers playing for the England Lions concurrently in all formats, the announcement validates a momentous occasion for Somerset.
The team will be captained by veteran batting legend Joe Root, who hopes to reach 15,000 runs and add a 42nd Test century to his England record. In the fifth Test of the Ashes last winter, the 23-year-old Bethell produced a brilliant century. Three players from Durham—Brydon Carse, Ben McKinney, and Matthew Potts—are part of the 18-man red-ball team.
Jack Haynes and Olly Stone represent Nottinghamshire, while Henry Crocombe, Matthew Fisher, and Ollie Pope represent Surrey. Alongside Yorkshire’s George Hill and Lancashire’s Mitch Stanley are Hampshire’s Eddie Jack and Ben Mayes. Together with James Rew and Thomas Rew of Somerset, the group is completed by Shoaib Bashir of Derbyshire, James Coles of Sussex, Mason Crane of Glamorgan, and Asa Tribe of Glamorgan.
