England could field as many as five debutants in their one-off Test against South Africa starting Sunday, with fresh faces included in their 13-strong squad for the match in Taunton.
Emily Arlott, Lauren Bell, Alice Davidson-Richards, Freya Davies and Emma Lamb are the uncapped players in the group, while it will be the first time since 2008 England have played a Test without Katherine Brunt or Anya Shrubsole.
Brunt announced her retirement from Test cricket last week, while Shrubsole called time on her international career following the one-day World Cup in New Zealand.
Lamb is likely to join Tammy Beaumont at the top of the order, replacing Lauren Winfield-Hill who opened the batting in England’s drawn Test against Australia in January.
England have yet to name their ODI and T20I squads to meet the Proteas, or their group for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
"There are a number of new faces in the squad which brings a real level of energy and enthusiasm,” coach Lisa Keightley said.
"We're at the beginning of a new ICC Women's Championship cycle, which starts for us with the India ODIs (in September), and it's natural that we're looking forward with one eye on who may be a key player for us come (the 2025 World Cup).
"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."
The Test will be South Africa’s first game in the format since 2014.
They go into the match without injured captain Dane van Niekerk, with Sune Luus to lead the group.
England Test squad: Heather Knight (c), Nat Sciver (vc), Emily Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Kate Cross, Alice Davidson-Richards, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Amy Jones, Emma Lamb. Travelling reserve: Issy Wong
South Africa Test and ODI squad: Anneke Bosch, Trisha Chetty, Nadine de Klerk, Lara Goodall, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Lizelle Lee, Sune Luus, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Andrie Steyn, Chloé Tryon, Laura Wolvaardt
