South Africa vs England: Jonny Bairstow and James Anderson return to squad for Test series
There is also a place for Mark Wood, but Moeen Ali again misses out after making himself unavailable for selection
Jonny Bairstow and James Anderson have both been included in the 17-man England squad for the four-Test tour of South Africa.
Anderson returns after missing the series against New Zealand due to his recovery from the calf injury that ended his Ashes series after just four overs.
Bairstow was overlooked for the trip to New Zealand, joining the squad briefly as injury cover, but earns a recall and travels as the backup wicketkeeper and an extra batting option.
Mark Wood is also brought back into the squad after his own injury issues but is unlikely to figure in the opening matches of the tour as he continues his recuperation.
There is no place for Moeen Ali, who continues a break from Test cricket and made himself unavailable for selection.
England Test squad vs South Africa 2019/20
Show all 18Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley retain their places as top order options after receiving their first caps in New Zealand, while Jack Leach and young leg-spinner Matt Parkinson are the two specialist spinners named.
However seamer Saqib Mahmood misses out with Anderson and Wood fit again.
“With James Anderson and Mark Wood returning to the squad, Saqib Mahmood is the unfortunate player to miss out,” National Selector Ed Smith said.
“It is not predicted that Mark (Wood) will be available for selection for the earliest matches. However, he will travel with the team and continue his rehab work with the medical staff on tour. There is no exact date given for his return, but the medical team is working towards him becoming fully available for selection during the tour.
“With that in mind, and given the extended period that James and Mark have had on the sidelines due to injury, it was sensible to have a 17-man squad.
“Moeen Ali, who asked to take a break from Test cricket last summer, remains unavailable for Test selection.
“Jonny Bairstow returns to the England squad after missing out on the New Zealand tour. Jonny, Mark and James are already in South Africa on a training camp ahead of the Test tour.”
England’s first warm-up fixture begins on Tuesday 17 December against a South Africa Invitational XI in Benoni.
The four-match series begins on Boxing Day at Centurion, with the three other Tests to be played in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg.
England Test squad for tour of South Africa
Joe Root (Yorkshire) captain
James Anderson (Lancashire)
Jofra Archer (Sussex)
Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire)
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
Rory Burns (Surrey)
Jos Buttler (Lancashire)
Zak Crawley (Kent)
Sam Curran (Surrey)
Joe Denly (Kent)
Jack Leach (Somerset)
Matthew Parkinson (Lancashire)
Ollie Pope (Surrey)
Dominic Sibley (Warwickshire)
Ben Stokes (Durham) vice-captain
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)
Mark Wood (Durham)
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