England face South Africa in the second Test on Thursday, August 25 at Old Trafford in Manchester from 3:30 PM IST (Indian Standard Time).
The South African cricket team produced an eye-catching performance at Lord’s in the first test to beat England by an innings and 12 runs. Kagiso Rabada’s seven-wicket haul earned him the Player of the Match award. The Proteas have won three of their last four series in this format, beating India, West Indies and Bangladesh. The visitors are currently on top of the World Test Championship 2021-23 points table with six wins in eight matches.
The defeat in the first Test was England’s first under the management of Brendon McCullum. Prior to this ongoing series, the hosts had played swashbuckling cricket in the Tests against New Zealand and the one-off match against India. Ollie Pope’s 73-run knock in the first innings against the Proteas at Lord’s was the only positive takeaway for the Englishmen. With a 31.37 per cent win ratio, England are currently seventh on the World Test Championship 2021-23 points table.
England vs South Africa 2nd Test odds
Parimatch odds: England: 2.02, South Africa: 2.86, Draw: 4.50
10CRIC odds: England: 2.02, South Africa: 2.62, Draw: 4.64
Betway odds: England: 2.00, South Africa: 2.62, Draw: 4.75
Betwinner odds: England: 2.01, South Africa: 2.88, Draw: 4.76
1xBet odds: England: 2.02, South Africa: 2.88, Draw: 4.73
Note: Odds are subject to change. Please visit betting sites to check and confirm the latest odds.
England vs South Africa head-to-head in Tests
The English cricket team have been the superior team in this head-to-head, winning 64 of the 154 Tests against South Africa. The Proteas have won 35 while 55 matches ended as a draw.
England won the Basil D’Oliveira Trophy in 2019/20 after winning the four-match series 3-1. The hosts also won the home series 3-1 in 2017 against the Proteas.
England vs South Africa 2nd Test squads
England: Ben Stokes (captain), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes (wicketkeeper), Jack Leach, Alex Lees, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root.
South Africa: Dean Elgar (captain), Sarel Erwee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Keegan Petersen, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton (wicketkeeper), Lutho Sipamla, Glenton Stuurman, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper), Khaya Zondo.
England vs South Africa 2nd Test probable playing XI
England: Alex Lees, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (captain), Ben Foakes (wicketkeeper), Stuart Broad, Matthew Potts, Jack Leach, James Anderson.
South Africa: Dean Elgar (captain), Sarel Erwee, Keegan Petersen, Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, Marco Jansen, Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper), Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi.
England vs South Africa 2nd Test combined fantasy XI
Dean Elgar, Alex Lees, Ollie Pope, Joe Root (captain), Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Ben Stokes, Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, James Anderson, Anrich Nortje.
England top picks vs South Africa 2nd Test
Ben Stokes: The English all-rounder and captain has previously relished playing against South Africa. In 13 tests against the visitors, Stokes has scored 1068 runs at an average of 44.50, including three centuries and four half-centuries and picked up 32 wickets. His top score of 258 in Test cricket has also come against the Proteas.
Joe Root: The 31-year-old batter has scored eight centuries in the current World Test Championship cycle. Root has scored 10472 runs in this format at an average of 50.34. The former England Test captain has scored nine half-centuries and two centuries against South Africa with a top score of 190.
South Africa top picks vs England 2nd Test
Kagiso Rabada: The Proteas premier pacer took seven wickets in the first match of this series at Lord’s, including a five-fer in the first innings to dismantle the English top-order. Rabada has taken 59 wickets in 10 Tests against England, making the hosts his favourite opposition in this format. The 27-year-old took his 250th Test wicket last time out.
Dean Elgar: The South African captain has scored 564 runs in eight matches, including five fifties, in the current World Test Championship cycle. Overall, Elgar has scored 4911 runs in 77 matches at an average of 39.60 in this format.
England vs South Africa 2nd Test prediction
The English cricket team were outplayed by the Proteas in the first match of this three-match Test series. However, their recent form in this format has been impressive and are expected to bounce back at Old Trafford.
South Africa played a brilliant match at Lord’s and are expected to once again challenge England for the victory in Manchester. The pitch at the venue will suit the Proteas bowlers.
England vs South Africa 2nd Test playing conditions and weather report
Maximum Temperature: 20°C
Precipitation: 7%
Humidity: 26%
Wind: 11 km/h