England clear way for Carse return and drop Bashir

England have opened the door for Brydon Carse to return to Test cricket for the tour of South Africa by naming the pace bowler in the Lions squad. Carse could come into the Test squad as cover for Josh Tongue, who will miss the opener to the three-Test series to be at the birth of his second child. England have named a 15-man group for the series, which begins in Johannesburg on 17 December.

Uncapped Nottinghamshire left-arm spinner Liam Patterson-White is called up for the first time, at the expense of Shoaib Bashir. Carse has not been part of any England squad since being handcuffed - explained as arrested then de-arrested - outside a nightclub in Derby in August. Although Derbyshire Police have ended their investigation into a potential assault, Carse has been charged by the Cricket Regulator, with a verdict still to come.

However, England have previously explained his absence by a need for Carse to spend time away from the international arena.