England vs South Africa
A new era dawns in the long and illustrious history of English Test cricket when Joe Root takes his bow as Three Lions skipper in the first Investec Test on Thursday.
The new England captain has thrilled the cricket world with his swashbuckling batting and alongside him, as he strides out at Lord’s, he has the big hitting force of Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes. The first Test promises fast bowling, explosive batting, passion and aggression and it all adds up to a great weekend for sports betting fans.
England are favourites on online betting sites to win the series against a South Africa side in transition, having already won the T20 series 2-1; but remember, the Proteas have won on their last two tours of the British Isles. So England batsman Keaton Jennings, making his home debut, and fast bowler Toby Roland-Jones, who is likely to play, have formidable opponents to test them as their careers take off.
Roland-Jones could be one to watch on his home ground and will bowl with pace and bounce. In the absence of AB de Villiers and captain Faf du Plessis, the biggest African scalp will be the excellent Quinton de Kock, and that is the one Roland-Jones would dearly love.
The South African attack is full of fire and no little skill, spearheaded by Morne Morkel and with Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada offering plenty of speed. That could be a test for the returning Gary Ballance who is enjoying great form for Yorkshire but has been found out at Test level before.
That is not something to be said of Captain Joe Root. Behind the cheeky smile and sense of fun, there is steely determination. Who’d bet against him leading England to success? Not me!
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