Five key areas the Proteas need to unlock

Batting: The Proteas have gradually pulled themselves together after a few years where collapses became the norm. In their last six innings, the Proteas have surpassed a total of 350 four times. While Sarel Erwee, Keegan Petersen and Kyle Verreynne have had their moments in the sun, the Proteas have relied heavily on the consistency of Dean Elgar, who is averaging 44.36 in the last two years and Temba Bavuma, who averages 47.93 in the same period. Bavuma’s absence leaves a big hole. This will be a crucial series for Petersen and Rassie van der Dussen, who need to contribute substantially. England top order: Amid all the excitement about England’s batting, their top order remains a weakness and an area the Proteas can target. In keeping with their strategy of backing players, Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes have allowed Alex Lees, Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope to settle into their positions. In this stunning recent run by England that trio has scored just three fifties and one century between them, and with South Africa’s seam bowling resources, they must experience a difficult few weeks if the Proteas are to win the series. England middle order: The heart of England’s batting, and the torchbearers for ‘Bazball, Joe Root has been the most consistent batter in the world in the last five years and freed of the captaincy has batted brilliantly. His Yorkshire counterpart, Jonny Bairstow, is currently the toast of English cricket, cheered every time he gets near the ball, the 32-year-old has been liberated since McCullum took over. Four of Bairstow’s 12 Test hundreds have come in his last five innings. Stokes meanwhile, is England’s third highest run-scorer in 2022 and has slayed South Africa in the three series he's played against them (see more below). Stopping Stokes: The England captain loves playing the Proteas. He averages 46.72 with the bat, has won matches with both bat and ball against them and across the last three series he has been the dominant figure. Those Proteas teams couldn’t figure out how to stop him and, as he has shown during his stellar career, he is capable of winning Test matches virtually by himself. All the obvious plans need to be executed – when he bats, the first 20 balls need to be precise, and when he bowls, the bad ball needs to be dispatched. But Stokes is such a great match winner – maybe praying for an injury might help.

SA Spinners: Do the selectors pick one of Maharaj and Harmer? If so, which one? Do they play both? It’s an area where the Proteas have a clear advantage over England. Also whatever decision regarding who or how many spinners play, they will be put under pressure by the English, because attacking the opposition’s spinner is a clear game-plan. Maharaj and Harmer are very experienced and shouldn’t get rattled, but their effectiveness or lack thereof, especially against that powerful England middle-order, could decide the series.

RECORD OF PREVIOUS SERIES IN ENGLAND (post-isolation)

1994 – 1-1 (3 Test matches)

1998 – 2-1, England (5)

2003 – 2-2 (5)

2008 – 2-1, South Africa (4) 2012 – 2-0, South Africa (3) 2017 – 3-1, England (4)

SQUADS

South Africa: Dean Elgar (capt), Sarel Erwee, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Duanne Olivier, Keegan Petersen, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Lutho Sipamla, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Khaya Zondo, Glenton Stuurman

England: Ben Stokes (capt), James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes, Jack Leach, Alex Lees, Craig Overton, Matthew Potts, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root

SCHEDULE:

1st Test, Lord’s, 17-21 August

2nd Test, Old Trafford, 25-29 August

3rd Test, The Oval, 8-12 September

TV: SuperSport 1(Grandstand) and SS 212, 11am (first ball at noon)