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England v South Africa First Test Betting

CRICKET BETTING – BET ON THE FIRST TEST – ENGLAND V SOUTH AFRICA – 10th JULY

The England side embarks on its latest Test Match test, against South Africa, at Lord’s, on 10th July. This is a four Test series, for which South Africa are marginal favourites at 11/10 with vcbet, England at 13/8 with William Hill and a drawn series at 7/2 with Paddy Power. For the opening Lord’s clash, South Africa are a best-priced 9/5 with totesport, with England at 11/4 (bet365) and the draw at 6/4 (Stan James).

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England has kept faith in the same squad of 12 players who took them to a 2-0 series victory against New Zealand. If (as seems likely) the same starting 11 is named on the morning of the first Test, England will become the first country to name an unchanged side for six matches in succession. However, selector Geoff Miller, was anxious dispel suggestions that the Test team has become a closed shop. “Everyone has got to perform. We left bowlers out in New Zealand, and that made a difference, and at one stage we left Andrew Strauss out. But at this moment in time we feel we have got solid players, strong in technique and good mentally as well,” he said.

Miller conceded that if Andrew Flintoff’s comeback continues as it has done so far, he would definitely be under consideration for the 2nd Test at Headingley, commencing on July 18th. As a result, a number of players will be concerned about their Test places, including Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, James Anderson and Stuart Broad. Miller confirmed that the current focus was the first Test, with reassessment following thereafter. Another English concern is the fitness of skipper, Michael Vaughan, suffering from soreness in a recurrent knee problem, despite making 72 for Yorkshire against Durham. England’s confidence in their captain has prompted them, again, to forego a deputy. “We’ve got senior players who’ve captained the side in different modes – Andrew Strauss, Paul Collingwood and Kevin Pietersen – so we’ll make that decision when we have to,” said Miller.

England versus South Africa is one of the most dependably absorbing contests that Test cricket has to offer. South Africa has toured England three times since their readmittance to the Test arena. Their post-apartheid record at Lord’s is impressive. South Africa’s most recent Lord’s appearance resulted in the most auspicious of their 75 victories. Only three players remain from that side, which won by an innings and 92 runs in the second Test of 2003. However, two of the three, Graeme Smith and Makhaya Ntini shared the “Man of the Match” Award on that occasion. Ardent displays have been a recurrent theme in South Africa’s English tours, including a stubborn hundred in 1994 for Kepler Wessels and Allan Donald’s dual five-wicket haul at Lord’s. However, the South African side have never maintained its early advantage. A drawn series 2003, a 2-1 loss in 1998, and a further draw in 1994 all they have to show. When Graeme Smith last toured England (2003) he had just made the leap form being a teenage star to skippering the Test team. He made a remarkable start to the series with double hundreds in the opening two matches, only for a resurgent England to secure a 2-2 draw in the series.

Smith, though still only 27, is a veteran captain, determined to lead South Africa to their first series win on English soil in the last 40+ years. Captain Smith believes South Africa’s “ace in the hole” is a bowling attack featuring last season’s phenomenon, fast bowler Dale Steyn. He describes the South African attack as having huge potential, along with variety and adaptability. Along with Steyn, Morne Morkel should excite the speed gun. South Africa starts as favourites because of the pedigree of such performers. However, it is an accolade they have often failed to live up to. The key confrontation of the summer could well be between the two South Africans who have never exhibited a shred of self-doubt. Graeme Smith and England’s Kevin Pietersen have never pretended to get on. However, the stature of the two men in their respective sides is non-negotiable. The impossibility of predicting which man will emerge supreme is precisely why this promises to be a contest worth savouring.

All odds correct at time of writing. Please click here for the latest odds