England vs South Africa: Anderson, Wood, Bairstow return to Lions' squad

London, December 7: James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow and Mark Wood returned to the Test set-up as England on Saturday (December 7) announced their squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa, beginning with the first Test at Centurion on December 26.

Anderson, who sustained a right calf tear during the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston in August, is currently involved in a dedicated fast-bowling camp in Cape Town along with Wood.

Quick bowler Wood is recovering from a left-knee injury and side strain sustained during the ICC World Cup 2019 final in July. He last played Test cricket in February, where he was named player of the match in England's last victory away from home against the West Indies in St Lucia taking six wickets in the match.

Bairstow, currently working on his batting at the camp in Cape Town, returns to the squad having missed out on selection in the recent two-Test series in New Zealand.

Saqib Mahmood, misses out on selection having been part of the Test tour of New Zealand.

Commenting on the selection of the squad, National Selector Ed Smith, said: "With James Anderson and Mark Wood returning to the squad, Saqib Mahmood is the unfortunate player to miss out.

"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. 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."

The four-match Test series forms part of the ICC World Test Championship and will be the first time in the competition that England have played away from home. Joe Root's team will be looking to close in on India and Australia, who are currently leading the standings. The top two teams at the end of the two-year cycle will compete in the ICC World Test Championship Final in England in June 2021.

England Test tour of South Africa 2019-20: Schedule:

December 26-30: 1st Test, SuperSport Park, Centurion

January 3-7: 2nd Test: Newlands, Cape Town

January 16-20: 3rd Test: St George's Park, Port Elizabeth

January 24- 28: 4th Test: Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg