England v South Africa Test series preview: England look to maintain unbeaten run

England face South Africa at Lord’s this Wednesday, in the first of three tests which will see Brendon McCullum’s in-form side try and hold off dangerous competitors in South Africa.

This series is due to be action packed and will be full of excitement and disappointment alike. Will England’s high scoring, aggressive batting better the Proteas?

The squads

England last put on their whites against India at the beginning of July, which resulted in a fourth Test match win on the bounce for new captain Ben Stokes and secured a series tie. Under Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum England have looked a rejuvenated side and have established a new brand of attacking cricket, which saw them achieve a 3-0 series whitewash against New Zealand prior to their win against India. They will be looking to maintain that perfect record against South Africa.

England’s winning form recently has been led by Joe Root and Johnny Bairstow who are 2/1 and 7/2 respectively to be the top England batsman in the first innings. The only change to the English squad sees Ben Foakes coming in the place of Sam Billings.

Craig Overton and Ollie Robinson will both be keen to show what they are made of, but both bowlers will be waiting their turn behind the likes of James Anderson and Stuart Broad who will be ahead of them in the pecking order. The legendary duo lead the top England bowler market at 2/1 and 5/2 respectively.

The South African squad can always be rather dangerous with the likes of Dean Elgar and Keegan Petersen on the team, who are 10/3 and 4/1 respectively to be top South African batsman. Mark Boucher will be no doubt apprehensive facing an in-form England though.

Major changes to the South African side include seamer Duanne Oliver being forced to sit out with a thigh injury, while Kagiso Rabada faces a race against time to be fit for the first Test. However, the 27-year-old is still expected to lead the line and is 5/2 to be the top South African bowler in the first innings, ahead of Anrich Nortje at 11/4 and Keshav Maharaj at 7/2.

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England on the rise?

The English side are on top form as of late, having crushed New Zealand in their Test series and then putting up strong fight against India with England taking the win by 7 wickets. With this in mind, it is no wonder that they head into this match-up the favourites at 5/6.

South Africa may take confidence from their 2-1 T20 series defeat of England recently, but England Test side will be a far tougher nut to crack. Mark Boucher’s side are priced at 33/10 to take the win.

During previous clashes over the years, England have come out on top the majority of the time with 64 Test match wins to South Africa’s 34, while 55 of the contests have ended as a draw. It is clear that history is on the side of the English, but what will this Test hold for the squad?

In terms of series betting, England are strong favourite to come out on top over the three matches at 4/7, with South Africa 3/1 to win and a draw priced at 9/2.

Ben Stokes and co will surely have their eyes on another famous whitewash and given the form they are in that doesn’t look out of the question, with England 3/1 to win the series 3-0.

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