The South African cricket team has arrived on our shores to take on England in a series of four test matches, one Twenty20 and five one day internationals. The series starts today with the first test match at Lords. England v South Africa test Match betting fans will regard this as the most challenging home based encounter for the England cricket team since the excitement of the Ashes in 2005. The South Africans have yet to beat England at home since their readmission to the international game.

The South African captain, and opening batsman, Graeme Smith, is a controversial figure noted for his understanding of the value of intimidation in winning cricket matches. A huge man, he commands enormous respect and loyalty from his team, while demanding of them their best, and shows the way with a personal batting average of an amazing 48.75. Early notoriety came from the orchestration of the sledging of Michael Vaughan, in the drawn series of 2003, in which the England captain’s sexuality was drawn into question. Passing it all off as a joke, Smith had to concede that the effect on Vaughn had certainly affected his play.

It will be interesting to observe the relationship between England star, Kevin Pietersen and Smith. Pietersen was raised in Natal before defecting to the England team following frustration with South African racial quotas. Smith has ruefully acknowledged the difference Pietersen would have made had he stayed at home.

The pace of the South African bowlers will seriously challenge the England top order and there can be no doubt that this is a side which will lay bare the true strengths, and weaknesses, of this unchanged England team. Online betting enthusiasts will be hoping that their side can rise to the challenge and show the resolve and skill, which, only occasionally, was evident in their recent games with New Zealand.