Five uncapped players in England Women's 13-member squad for Test against South Africa

Alice Davidson-Richards, Emma Lamb, Emily Arlott, Lauren Bell, and Freya Davies have been called up to the Test squad for the first time and could be in line to make their Test debut for England in the one-off match against the travelling Proteas side in Taunton next week.

Out of these five possible debutants, uncapped seamers Emily Arlott and Lauren Bell are new to the national setup, whereas Alice Davidson-Richards, Freya Davies, and Emma Lamb have previously featured for England in white-ball cricket.

The 20-year-old seamer Issy Wong is also part of the 13-women group as a travelling reserve. However, opening batter Emma Lamb will most likely be given a chance at the top of the order alongside incumbent opener Tammy Beaumont.

With the retirement of England's fast bowling pair Katherine Brunt and Anya Shrubsole, the Heather Knight-led side will have to find a new seam bowling combination.

England have also named the 'A' squad which is set to face the touring South African team for a practice game from Tuesday. John Stanworth will look after the England A side. 

The 'A' squad includes some household names like Mady Villiers, Sarah Glenn, Georgia Elwiss, Danni Wyatt, Lauren Winfield-Hill, and several youngsters like left-arm seamer Freya Kemp, off-spinner Kalea Moore, left-handed batting allrounder Grace Scrivens and Eve Jones.

"There are a number of new faces in the squad which brings a real level of energy and enthusiasm. We're at the beginning of a new ICC Women's Championship cycle, which starts for us with the India ODIs, and it's natural that we're looking forward with one eye on who may be a key player for us come 2025," England women's team Head Coach Lisa Keightley said on the announcement of the squad.

"Similarly with Katherine Brunt retired from Test cricket and Anya Shrubsole from all forms of the international game, a number of bowling spots have opened up which is hugely exciting for those players. I'm sure they'll all be very keen to grab their opportunity."

"We have to balance having the appropriate back-up for the senior squad while also giving playing opportunities. We need our players to play as much cricket as possible, which is why we have a deliberately small Test squad while the England Women's A team are in action against South Africa."

"It really is a massive summer, with the Commonwealth Games just around the corner, and we can't wait to get started with the red ball in Taunton," concluded Lisa Keightley.

England Women squad: Heather Knight, Emily Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Kate Cross, Alice Davidson-Richards, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Amy Jones, Emma Lamb, Nat Sciver, Issy Wong (travelling reserve)

England Women's A squad: Georgia Elwiss, Maia Bouchier, Danni Gibson, Sarah Glenn, Freya Kemp, Eve Jones, Ella McCaughan, Kalea Moore, Tara Norris, Grace Potts, Grace Scrivens, Alexa Stonehouse, Mady Villiers, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Danni Wyatt