England v South Africa

[kompressaur]

Tests starting on the 10th, 18th and 30th of July but you all already knew that. Here's some markets with the top 3 in the betting lifted from oddschcker

England - South Africa Tests
South Africa 2.25 Boylesports
England 2.8 Sportingbet
Drawn Series 4.5 Bet365

Series Correct Score
South Africa 2-1 (6.5), Draw 1-1 (7.5), England 2-1 (7.5)

Top England Batsman
Pietersen, Kevin (3.6), Strauss, Andrew (5), Cook, Alastair (6)

Top England Bowler
Sidebottom, Ryan (2.88), Anderson, James (4.3), Panesar, Monty (5.5)

Top South Africa Batsman
Kallis, Jacques (3.75), Smith, Graeme (4), Mckenzie, Neil (6)

Top South Africa Bowler
Steyn, Dale (2.1), Ntini, Makhaya (4), Morkel, Morne (5.5)

[kompressaur]

Are South Africa really playing "away" when they face England this summer?
The Hawkeye View - Ed Hawkins looks at South Africa's recent record on English shores and who may be scoring the runs for them this summer.

There are more South Africans playing county cricket than any other foreign nationality, trade between Britain and the former colony - South Africa only achieved independence in the 1960s - remains solid and Nelson Mandela even held his birthday bash here. Can the four-Test series between England and South Africa, which starts next Thursday at Lord's, really be described as an away tour for the Proteas?

To push the envelope further, the last man to captain an England cricket team was technically a South African. Come on, KP, we're not convinced by all your patriotic musings.

It rather puts into perspective any assertion by punters who are basing their argument for backing England at 3.00 on the fact that this is a difficult place to come for opposition sides. Only India have won on these shores since 2002.

Sure, England are likely to be tough to beat but South Africa, who are 2.20 with the draw 4.20, have nothing to fear.

Normally visiting teams are undone by the swinging ball but the ball bends in South Africa, too which explains why Graeme Smith's men have a good record in England.

Since South Africa were allowed back into the international sporting family, they have played three series in England. And although they have not won any, they have drawn two which proves they are capable of justifying their odds.

In 1994 a powerful South Africa side - after 29 years of exile - were held 1-1. They won the first Test at Lord's in emotional and dramatic circumstances. They bowled England out for 99 in the fourth innings in a match which will also be remembered as the 'Dirt in the pocket affair', when Michael Atherton was accused of ball tampering.

In 1998 South Africa were one up with two play but lost the final two Tests and in 2003 - a memorable series for the way it ebbed and flowed - all they had to do for glory was avoid defeat at The Oval in the last Test.

They didn't do it, however. It was a particularly galling loss because the Proteas posted 484 in the first innings and given what had gone on in the previous two series, they left with a reputation as a side who were unable to keep their foot on the throat of an opponent.
That has to be a concern again, although their bowling attack looks to be one of the quickest that any side, let alone South Africa, has turned up with since West India tyros Walsh and Ambrose's final visit in 2000.

Dale Steyn, ranked the best fast bowler in the world, Makhaya Ntini and the lightning More Morkel form a potent attack. And with Andre Nel waiting in the wings in case one of those breaks down, there could be no respite for England. Indeed Ntini was South Africa's top wicket-taker on that 2003 tour with 23 victims, outbowling Shaun Pollock. At 2.00 he could be one to watch in a burgeoning top South Africa bowler market.

Another South African who appears to have spectacular form in England is Graeme Smith. The word appears is deliberate, too. The skipper burst onto the scene on that last tour with 277 at Edgbaston in the drawn first Test and followed it up with 259 in the next one at Headquarters. So brutal was that innings in Birmingham that Nasser Hussain thought he had lost the dressing room and stood down as England captain.

However, since those two Tests, Smith's form has not been anywhere near as good against England. Here are his scores since then: 35, 5, 2, 14, 18,19, 0, 55, 9, 5, 74, 2, 29, 67*, 25, 3.
Smith is 2.50 joint favourite with Jacques Kallis for top South Africa batsman. Unlike Smith Kallis does not have great memories of England, scoring just 188 runs last time. That was most likely a blip, however, and along with his countrymen, England could be a home from home.

Betfair | Are South Africa really playing "away" when they face England this summer?

[Pie-chucker]

Draw is the favourite option of the 3, because there are mumblings about the forecast. Leave it alone!

Lord's drains quicker than any ground in the world and in high summer it can go on to 7.00pm daily if necessary.

here's the nearest cam

The Crossing - Abbey Road Studios#

Saffers to win. More tomorrow.

[kompressaur]

England's failings still visible despite Headingley victory
by Ed Hawkins

THE formbook delivered a slap in the face for punters in the first one-day international and some will still be feeling pretty sore before game two today, when England and South Africa meet at Trent Bridge under lights.

South Africa were beaten by20 runs at Headingley on Friday, a result that will have buoyed England, led by the ebullient Kevin Pietersen. Prior to their stunning win they had been a side who had promised great things without delivering.

Will South Africa discover the form that means four consecutive victories will see them installed as the world No. 1–ranked limited-overs team or will England continue to defy their previous incongruous displays?

The smart money will be on South Africa, who have drifted to 4-5 to level matters.

Rationale dictates that South Africa have to be the bet because just as England have not suddenly become a world-beating outfit, nor have Graeme Smith's side reverted to one that is clueless in this format.

South Africa's display at Headingley was a classic example of a team struggling to switch from Test match cricket to 50 overs. They were sloppy in the field, their bowlers were unable to hit yorker length consistently at the death of an innings, while their batsmen were too reckless in chasingdown a total which in the past they would have managed with ease.

If defeat has sharpened their focus we should see some more incisive cricket.

It is a greater risk chancing that England, who came into this series following consecutive humblings to an organised but uninspired New Zealand team, manage to fasten together two performances.

For a start, there were signs on Friday that they are still making the same mistakes which were major irritants in such series losses.
Matt Prior and Ian Bell failed to make use of the powerplay overs, scoring at just 4.5, three and 3.5 an over in the three sessions.

It is an old failing and one that is expected to continue, which surely will mean England come unstuck.

Another past misdemeanour which came to light under the floodlights was the profligacy of the new-ball bowlers, which enabled South Africa to get off to a beginning which should have led them to the best possible series start.

The top-bat market also offers up some value.Owais Shah should be backed for top England runscorer honours at a tasty 5-1.

Shah, who will hold on to the No. 3 berth despite a failure last time out, is a tremendous player and all the planets are coming into line to suggest he will prove it at Trent Bridge.

He is in cracking form and, importantly, has scored runs on this ground in the past. He top-scored with 51 in England's last one-day international in Nottingham against West Indies last summer and averages 42 in List A matches on the ground and 50 in first-class cricket.

Paul Collingwood will return for England having served his ban – the rained-off
Twenty20 match counted as one of the games he missed – which is likely to mean that Luke Wright will be left out.

Recommendations
South Africa, 5pts 4-5
O Shah top England runscorer, 1pt 5-1

Restricted Access