Glamorgan and England paceman Simon Jones says conditions in South Africa will suit his style. "The wickets are even quicker than in the West Indies and I'm looking forward to bowling fast out there," the 25-year-old told BBC Sport Wales.
He was named in England's 16-strong Test squad for the December tour with fellow Welshman and Kent wicket-keeper Geraint Jones.
Glamorgan's Mike Powell and David Harrison made the Academy squad, with Adam Harrison in as a part-time student.
The Welsh county's all-rounder Alex Wharf is on stand-by for the England one-day squad in next month's ICC Champions Trophy, should Kabir Ali pull out with a stomach injury.
Simon Jones says his county experiences with Glamorgan in South Africa will stand him in good stead for his England challenge.
"I've been there twice with Glamorgan, it's a great place to tour and the wickets will really suit me," he said.
"It was also a big bonus to get a central contract, that was a surprise."
 |  My brother Adam is in (the Academy squad) as well and my parents are very proud |
The Academy squad will train at Loughborough before Christmas, with trips to the United Arab Emirates and Sri Lanka lined up in the New Year. "It's a great opportunity to have specialist coaches day-in, day-out, it can only benefit us and Glamorgan in the long run," David Harrison told BBC Sport Wales.
The pace bowler, who has 47 first-class wickets to his name, says he did not expect the call-up.
"A lot of people thought I would be in the Academy last year, but I was disappointed when it didn't work out," he said.
"This year I was just concentrating on doing well for Glamorgan, but I'm very pleased.
"I was delighted that my brother Adam is in as well and my parents are very proud."
Powell was surprised at the call-up after the enduring a poor run of recent form.
"I was in the one-day squad earlier this year, but thought I was in for a quiet winter - this is a nice surprise," said the hard-hitting batsman.
"We will have coaches working on our fitness and technique and it's an exciting challenge."
England squad:MP Vaughan (Yorkshire, capt) Age 29 Tests 50, ME Trescothick (Somerset) 28 54, AJ Strauss (Middlesex) 27 7, MA Butcher (Surrey) 32 68, RWT Key (Kent) 25 12, GP Thorpe (Surrey) 35 93, A Flintoff (Lancashire) 26 40, GO Jones (Kent, wkt) 28 8, CMW Read (Nottinghamshire, wkt) 26 11, AF Giles (Warwickshire) 31 40, GJ Batty (Worcestershire 26 5, MJ Hoggard (Yorkshire) 27 33, SP Jones (Glamorgan) 25 8, SJ Harmison (Durham) 25 23, JM Anderson (Lancashire) 22 11, PD Collingwood (Durham) 28 2.
Academy squad: IR Bell (Warwickshire), R Clarke (Surrey), PJ Franks (Nottinghamshire), APR Gidman (Gloucestershire), DS Harrison (Glamorgan), J Lewis (Gloucestershire), SI Mahmood (Lancashire), K Pietersen (Nottinghamshire), MJ Powell (Glamorgan), MJ Prior (Sussex), OA Shah (Middlesex), GP Swann (Northamptonshire).
Players to attend on a part-time basis: AJ Cook (Essex), S Davies (Worcestershire), A Harrison (Glamorgan), J Hildreth (Somerset), LJ Plunkett (Durham), DJ Stiff (Kent), LJ Wright (Sussex).
MMIX
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