(Info4now)- The points table of ICC Test Championship shows all its volume as England to face South Africa in ENG vs SA 1st Test at Lord’s. South Africa at the top and England just manage to leave the bottom owing to their top class performances against New Zealand and India. A rejuvenated English team will be the favourite, but South Africa have an excellent experience of winning here.
Preview: ENG vs SA 1st Test, Lord’s
England must be happy with one change as Ben Foakes comes in place of Sam Billing. Zak Crawley and Alex Lees will open the innings and it’s the thing England trying to cover for a long time. A partnership at the top and if Crawley finds his way it will benefit them. Ollie Pope at No 3 is rhythmical and technically sound. Joe Root needs no introduction, but his recent form in ODI might be exploited by the Porteas. Still a king of Test cricket Root will be in all’s attention today. If you have to write something about English middle order you can only name the giants— Jonny Bairstow and captain Stokes.
Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad make their way beating bowlers like Ollie Robinson and the reason behind it is their accuracy even with old legs. Matthew Potts continues to make the XI after the New Zealand and India series. Ben Stokes and Jack Leach will take up the responsibility to rest the champion trio..
Dean Elgar is the experienced campaigner of the visitors and he possesses a cool brain to handle both captaincy and opening spells with the bat. Keegan Peterson has a long rest on account of injury and he misses New Zealand series. But we expect he must be with his all defences he produced in the home series against India. On England soil, like Peterson, Aiden Markram and Russie van der Dussen are also inexperienced. But the quality of cricket they have played will help them enjoy the game. South Africa have a great volume of bowling with Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje.
Conclusion
It’s a fifty-fifty game at Lord’s as South Africa have the guts to tackle a hurricane chase from England. Ben Stokes is very disciplined with his eye on winning, but Elgar on the other hand, is an excellent on field reader of the game. If it’s all star game for England, it’s how South Africa play with the young bunch of players.
Playing XI England:
Zak Crawley, Alex Lees, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach, Matthew Potts, James Anderson.
South Africa Squad: Dean Elgar(c), Sarel Erwee, Aiden Markram, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne(w), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi, Simon Harmer, Khaya Zondo, Anrich Nortje, Ryan Rickelton, Glenton Stuurman.