ENG vs SA 1st Test Match Prediction & Betting Tips
England and South Africa begin their three-match Test series on Wednesday morning at Lord’s. This is the first time the sides have met in Test cricket since early 2020 and the first Test series between the sides in England since 2017. Read on as we preview this fixture to begin the series. The first game gets underway at 11:00 local time in North London.
England have had big wins in home Tests this summer in spite of finding themselves in trouble early on in some of the games. They have a huge amount of self-belief and will be confident of going 1-0 up in the series.
South Africa have been playing some excellent cricket across all formats in 2022 and have already beaten England in the IT20 series. However, they were very poor the last time they played Tests in England.
England vs South Africa 1st Test Match Live Streaming
TV channels: This match will be shown live on Sky Sports in the UK and Super Sport in South Africa.
Live Streaming: Fans can stream the match on SkyGo.
ENG vs SA Match Toss Prediction
Although there is often something in the pitch for the bowlers in the first session, very few captains choose to field first in a Test at Lord’s. Only one team has won here batting second in the last six Tests.
ENG vs SA Pitch Report
The pitch has plenty of grass remaining on it and we expect to see plenty of movement for the quick bowlers in the early exchanges. As ever, expect the outfield to be very quick at Lord’s.
Weather Report
After one of the hottest and driest summers in the UK for decades, this game is likely to be interrupted by thunderstorms on Day 1. There is also a lesser threat of rain on Wednesday but dry the rest of the game.
Read on for team previews, betting tips, latest odds, and match prediction for England vs South Africa 1st Test Match 2022
England Team News & Playing 11
ENG Team News
The impact of the Ben Stokes and Brendan McCullum leadership team for England’s Test side has been immediate with England playing an entertaining brand and winning games again. There are no injuries in the squad ahead of this opening game of the series.
ENG Key Players
- Joe Root - The former Test captain has been in fabulous form since the start of 2021. He has hit 11 centuries and averaged 61.27 across 24 Tests in this time period.
- Jonny Bairstow - The Yorkshire batter looked set to be a white ball specialist only a year ago but has been England’s best Test batter this summer. He has scored four centuries and 71 not out in his last five innings.
- James Anderson - The opening bowler is one of the best exponents of swing bowling with a new and old ball. He recently turned 40 but is showing no signs of slowing down with his wicket taking.
ENG Team Form
England are targeting their fifth Test win of this summer and their fifth successive victory in this format.
England Predicted Playing 11
Zak Crawley, Alex Lees, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Matty Potts, Stuart Broad, Jack Lees, James Anderson
South Africa Team News & Playing 11
SA Team News
Duanne Olivier, Lizaad Williams, Temba Bavuma and Wiaan Mulder will all be missing from South Africa’s XI from their last Test in mid-April. We expect Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen and Rassie van der Dussen to return, all four were in the IPL when South Africa last played Test cricket.
SA Key Players
- Dean Elgar - The left-handed opener and captain has scored 13 Test centuries. He is known for being a very determined player who is very hard to dismiss.
- Keegan Petersen - At 29 years old, Petersen is a late comer to the Test arena but is making up for lost time. During 2022 he has scored three Test half-centuries against India and one against Bangladesh.
- Kagiso Rabada - The right arm fast bowler has taken wickets in each of his last 14 Test innings and took 8-106 across his last match, against New Zealand, in this format.
SA Team Form
South Africa have won five of their last six Tests. A run which has included wins over India, South Africa and Bangladesh.
South Africa Predicted Playing 11
Dean Elgar (c), Sarel Erwee, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, Ryan Rickleton, Kyle Verreyne (wk), Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer
England vs South Africa Head to Head
Covering the 153 games played, England have a 30 Test lead over South Africa since they first met in this format in 1889. South Africa have won two of the last eight Tests between the sides.
ENG vs SA Head to Head Stats in Test
|
Matches Played |
ENG Won |
SA Won |
Draw |
No Result |
Overall |
153 |
64 |
34 |
55 |
0 |
Last 5 |
5 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
England vs South Africa Betting Odds
South Africa have a poor recent record against England in Test cricket but have been in good form over recent times. However, the bookies are backing England to win this match.
Who will win England vs South Africa 1st Test Match?
With Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow both batting at the top of their game, playing England in their home conditions is a tough ask. South Africa will need to dismiss both players early if they are to have a chance at Lord’s.
England vs South Africa Betting Rate
🏆 England vs South Africa Prediction
With both teams in excellent Test form, and England insistent on playing an attacking brand of cricket, this should be a really enthralling game at Lord’s. We expect both teams to have the upperhand at times but are backing England to kick off the series with a win.
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