England lifted by Crane for T20I series

England have named five uncapped players in their 16-man squad for the upcoming three match T20I series with South Africa, including young leg-spinner Mason Crane, who played in last summer's Sheffield Shield with New South Wales.

The youthful squad doesn't include the likes of England regulars Joe Root, Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali, with Root confirmed as being available for his county Yorkshire in the upcoming round of day-night Championship matches ahead of next summer's inaugural pink-ball Ashes Test.

Crane became the Blues' first overseas played since Imran Khan earlier this year, picking up five wickets in his only match.

The 20-year-old joins Liam Livingstone as first-timers in a national squad while Dawid Malan, Tom Curran and Craig Overton all return to the England set-up and will be hopeful of a debut against the Proteas in the series that begins on June 21 in Southampton. 

"The IT20 series against South Africa presents us with an opportunity to incorporate several players who have come through the talent pathway into the senior group," said chairman of selectors James Whitaker. 

"The squad has an exciting blend of youth and experience and we are looking forward to a competitive series against strong opposition.

"With five uncapped players selected, there is undoubted talent coming through the system and we are excited to see some of these players showcase their skills at the highest level.

"Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Tom Curran and Craig Overton have impressed for the England Lions over the past 12 months and have transferred their skills across all formats, in particular with their respective counties.

"Young leg-spinner Mason Crane is another player with great promise and he has made great strides with Hampshire this season and has added to his experience with stints in the North-South Series earlier in the season, where he took crucial wickets and even earned selection for New South Wales in Australia's premier domestic competition the Sheffield Shield."

The final two matches will take place on June 23 in Taunton and June 25 in Cardiff. 

Yorkshire's Jonny Bairstow will be available for the first two matches only, Overton will be available for the final two matches only, and paceman Mark Wood will be available for just the final match. 

England squad: Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire), Sam Billings (Kent), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Mason Crane (Hampshire), Tom Curran (Surrey), Liam Dawson (Hampshire), Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Liam Livingstone (Lancashire), Dawid Malan (Middlesex), Eoin Morgan (Middlesex, captain), Craig Overton (Somerset), Liam Plunkett (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), David Willey (Yorkshire), Mark Wood (Durham).