Proteas to tame England
England and South Africa will prepare for another battle at Lord's on Thursday and our money is firmly with the tourists, writes Les Sennett.
The four-match Test series begins this week and the Proteas are hard to ignore after their last three performances at the famous London venue.
In 2003 they won by an innings and 92 runs, in 1998 they won by 10 wickets and in 1994 it was a 356-run mauling.
Pace could hold the key
South Africa are a best-priced 2/1 to win the opening npower Test at Lord's on Thursday and the Proteas look good value to claim victory.
England lack a bowler of genuine pace in their Test side, while the tourists have one of the quickest attacks in world cricket at the moment.
The Three Lions will be desperate to make a good start but the Proteas get a confident vote from us.
First npower Test
| Best match odds | | |
| England | 7/2 | VC bet |
| Draw | 6/5 | bet365 |
| South Africa | 2/1 | totesport |
| Highest opening partnership | | |
| England | 11/10 | bet365 |
| Tie | 25/1 | VC Bet |
| South Africa | 5/6 | Various |
BOOKIES INDEXbet365.....................622 - 623
BetFred...................669 - 670
Blue Square......................609
Coral..................................611
49's....................................649
Jennings Bet.....................625
Ladbrokes...............605 - 606
Paddy Power..........664 - 666
Pagebet.............................696
Stan James.............630 - 634
Tote................661, 667 & 668
William Hill...............600 - 601