The first Test between England and South Africa gets going at Lord’s on Wednesday and we take a look at the match from a betting angle.

South Africa and England drew the ODI Series 1-1 and then South Africa were impressive 2-1 victors in the 3 match T20 series. The Proteas then beat Ireland 2-0 in a short T20 series.

Test cricket is a different game though and there is little doubt that England start this match and the series as worthy favourites.

Let’s start with a look at the weather and there are some thunderstorms forecast for Lord’s, but fortunately it doesn’t look like heavy rain and we should get a full match in and most likely a result. This series forms part of the World Test Championship where despite my comment up above South Africa find themselves sitting top of the log with England down in 7^th place. Personally I find this a difficult Championship to get into and I far prefer the prospect of just thinking of this as a series in England.

South Africa were impressive in beating India 2-1 in the Test series at home earlier this year, but aside from that, they haven't played the toughest opposition and their lofty ranking at the top of the Championship table may not tell the full story.

Looking at the bowling line ups where Broad and Anderson return for England I don’t think there is too much between the sides, but I would have to give England the edge in the batting department and I think that some of the South African batsmen will struggle in the local conditions.

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BETTING – Click here to bet

England 17/20

Draw 5/2

South Africa 7/2

Suggested Bets:

England win at 17/20

England have been in excellent form of late having played both New Zealand and India and they are a country which plays far more Test cricket than the South Africans. They have a number of players in form and I do think that across the duration of the Test match they are going to be too strong for this Proteas team. The 17/20 stands out to me as a cracking bet.

Top Away Bowler, First Innings, Maharaj at 15/4

I am expecting Maharaj to get plenty of overs and his recent Test record is impressive.

Another option would be to back his Player Performance going over 85.5 at 17/20. The way this market works is players get 20 points per wicket, 1 point per run and 10 per catch.

Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change