England vs South Africa Preview

England take on South Africa at Lords in the first of four tests starting on July 6. England are currently ranked 4th by the ICC on 99 points and South Africa 2nd on 117 points.
The last time these two met in South Africa, England won the 4 match Test Series 2-1.
England Form
England are coming off a humiliating 4-0 defeat away to India. After drawing the first test match they went on to lose the remaining four in a row. Team morale however will be high after easily dispatching a young South Africa T20 squad, which will see England entering the first test match on the front foot.
Last 5 Test Results: D L L L L
South Africa Form
South Africa have not lost a test series since England last toured in 2015 and beat them on home soil. Since then they have enjoyed a winning streak and are coming off victories away to New Zealand and an earlier drubbing of Sri Lanka 3-0 in South Africa.
A disappointing World Cup and T20 series will need to be quickly forgotten if South Africa are to maintain their impressive test record.
Last 5 Test Results: W W D W D
Head to Head
Here are England’s last 10 results against South Africa.
- SA by 280 runs (a)
- England by 7 wickets (a)
- Draw (a)
- England by 241 runs (a)
- SA by 51 runs (h)
- Draw (h)
- SA by an innings and 12 runs (h)
- SA by an innings and 74 runs (a)
- Draw (a)
- England by an innings and 98 runs (a)
England 3
Draw 4
SA 4
Bookie Odds
The bookmakers have England as firm favourites with odds of 1/1. South Africa to win and the Draw are both currently at 5/2. If Stuart Broad is ruled out of the first test expect the odds to shift a little.
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Squad Updates
England
Stuart Broad (31) has picked up a heel injury and was forced to withdraw from Nottinghamshire’s Division Two victory against Leicestershire. Broad is expected to undergo an MRI to assess the extent of the damage.
South Africa
South Africa have picked the promising young opener Aiden Markram for the test squad. This could see a new change at the top of the order with much potential shown in the early part of his 1st Class career.
Heino Kuhn will also join the squad after scoring a double century and century for SA ‘A”. Phehlukwayo from the limited overs setup is the remaining new cap in the test lineup.
TV Coverage
The England vs South Test series can be see on Sky Sports 2 HD in the UK and on SuperSport channel 202 in South Africa.
Venues & Dates
The four match test series will take place at the following grounds.
- Lords from July 6 – 10
- Nottingham from July 14 – 18
- The Oval from July 27 – 31
- Manchester from August 4 – 8
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