Stuart Broad, Alex Hales, James Taylor and Samit Patel have been selected by England for the forthcoming Test series in South Africa.
The four-match series gets underway in Durban on Boxing Day as Alastair Cook’s men aim to topple the number one ranked side in the world, who are captained by former Nottinghamshire batsman Hashim Amla.
Broad, who has been ever present for England in 34 consecutive Tests since March 2013, will aim to continue a stellar run of form which has already brought him 50 wickets this calendar year.
While Taylor travels with high hopes that his first innings 76 in the third and final Test against Pakistan in the UAE will be enough to retain his place in the side, Alex Hales - who wasn’t used in the series - is aiming to replace Moeen Ali at the top of the order.
Patel, who was a late call-up to the squad for the UAE and played in the final Test against Pakistan, is also retained in the squad.
The squad will arrive in South Africa on 11 December and will acclimatise with a pair of three day fixtures against an Invitational XI.
Ian Bell, who has averaged 42.69 over 118 matches during his England career, is the most notable omission.
Gary Ballance, who was dropped two Tests into the Investec Ashes, and Nick Compton - who last played international cricket in 2013 - have been included.
So too has former Nottinghamshire fast bowler Mark Footitt, who recently departed Derbyshire for Surrey, after Mark Wood and Steven Finn were ruled out through injury.
“Playing the number one ranked Test side in the world in their home conditions will be a really exciting challenge for this squad and one I’m sure these players will relish," said National Selector James Whitaker.
“Ian Bell has been an outstanding player for many years and undoubtedly still has plenty to offer England in the future.
"It was clearly a difficult decision but he has struggled for runs in recent series and we felt that it was the right time for him to take a break and spend time working on his game out of the spotlight.
“The inclusion of Nick Compton and Gary Ballance alongside Alex Hales, Joe Root and James Taylor gives Trevor Bayliss and Alastair Cook plenty of options in the top order.
“Adil Rashid showed plenty of promise in the UAE but the conditions in South Africa make the likelihood of playing two spinners extremely remote.
"Although he would have been selected as a back up spinner we feel there is an excellent opportunity for him to spend some time developing his white ball skills in the lead up to the ICC World T20 in March. It is likely that Adil will travel to Australia to play for a Big Bash franchise.
“On behalf of the selectors I would like to wish Alastair and Trevor all the very best for the tour.”
England squad to face South Africa: Alastair Cook (Essex), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire), Gary Ballance (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Nick Compton (Middlesex), Mark Footitt (Surrey), Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Samit Patel (Nottinghamshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), James Taylor (Nottinghamshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire).
England are returning to the scene of their Ashes triumph in 2016 for Royal London One-Day Internationals against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
Don't miss the opportunity to watch some of the best players in the world go toe-to-toe in the unique surroundings of Trent Bridge and secure your seats now.