England vs South Africa – 1st Test Match Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is England vs South Africa taking place? Wednesday, August 17th, 2022 – 11:00 (UK)
Where is England vs South Africa taking place? Lord’s, London
What is the expected weather for England vs South Africa? 19-24c with a chance of thundery showers on Day 1 and light rain across Day 5, but dry across Days 2, 3 and 4 with sunny intervals on the latter two of those three days.
What channel is England vs South Africa on? The match will be televised live on Sky Sports for UK viewers
Where can I stream England vs South Africa? Sky Sports subscribers in the UK can stream this match live via Sky Go
LAST MEETING
England beat South Africa by 191 runs
THE TEAM NEWS
ENGLAND
- It has already been one of the most exciting test-match summers in years for England following their exhilarating 3-0 sweep over World Test Champions New Zealand back in June, which was backed up by victory over India at Edgbaston.
- From a batting perspective, the big question is whether England will persist with opener Zak Crawley, who has suffered a hugely disappointing summer for both county and country with captain Ben Stokes having been vocal in his support for the struggling Kent batter.
- Ollie Robinson was a standout Test player for the hosts last summer and the Sussex seam bowler has been recalled to the squad following a string of niggling injuries which has dogged him for a number of months, however it will be harsh of England to pick him over Matthew Potts, who has enjoyed a breakthrough summer of his own in 2022.
SOUTH AFRICA
- South Africa come into this match on the back of an innings thrashing at the hands of England Lions, but the Proteas Test form is very good with them having won five of their last six Test matches.
- Batter Temba Bavuma and fast bowler Duanne Olivier both won’t feature in this series due to injury, whilst an ankle problem renders Olivier’s fellow paceman Kagiso Rabada a doubt for the first Test
- A key decision the tourists will have to make is whether to field a second spin-bowler alongside Keshav Maharaj in the form of Essex star Simon Harmer, for what would be the first time in a Test match away from South Africa since 2015 in India, with the 33-year-old having spent the last five years dominating the county circuit in England.
THE PREDICTION
The phrase “Bazball” has become synonymous with the 2022 English cricketing summer, even if it isn’t a popular term among the home dressing room. Even South Africa have allegedly banned any use of the word within their camp, but it’ll be impossible for them to ignore England’s dramatic upturn in Test form which has coincided with the arrival of Brendan McCullum as head coach and the appointment of Ben Stokes as England captain. Stokes will be looking to make it five consecutive Test victories under his permanent leadership and he has every right to feel confident about it when taking into account the confidence oozing out of his squad. However, South Africa’s Test bowling attack is one of the most dangerous in the world right now with quality fast bowlers such Rabada and Anrich Nortje up their sleeve, not to mention the ability to field two genuine world-class spin-bowlers should they wish, although at Lord’s they may stick with just the one such is the ground’s penchant for being a spinner’s graveyard.
When focusing on the series and this game in particular, it’s hard to look past the potential fragility of South Africa’s batting order. The absence of Bavuma is a massive loss and provided England can dismiss captain Dean Elgar early in his innings, then they’ll fancy their chances of running through an inexperienced Proteas top and middle order, who will not be used to batting in England against the Dukes ball. Combine that with England’s batters looking the most assured they’ve been at home in a long time against both New Zealand and India, not to mention the magnificent form of Yorkshiremen Joe Root & Jonny Bairstow and all the ingredients are in place for England to win this first Test at Lord’s and take a series lead.
