Coral’s five top tips for South Africa v England Test series
Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | December 23, 2015
On a Boxing day packed full of live sporting events, such as football, darts and horse racing, why not start off the day sat comfortably to enjoy South Africa and England kick off their four-match Test series?
To make the occasion all the more exciting, Coral have hand-picked five top betting tips to take across the whole month of the action…
England win first Test
South Africa may be the number one Test team in the world, but have certainly not had it there way in the scheduled opening venue for this series, Durban, against England, and come into this series on the back of losing 3-0 in India.
In fact, they have not beaten them there since way back in 1928, 12 matches ago. And, with the visitors winning last time out exactly six years ago by an innings and 98 runs, they are highly tempting 9/4 to do so once more.
Series drawn
While England may get the upper-hand in the opening match, the Proteas are the number one Test team for a reason, and should be able to provide a highly competitive battle.
A draw, as was the result the last time these two played on South African soil, is an enticing 4/1 price, therefore. Though, it would still be enough for the hosts to retain the Basil D’Oliveira Trophy.
AB de Villiers top South Africa series batsman
There is no doubt that South Africa’s key player is and will be wicketkeeper-batsman De Villiers, who is arguably the most talented and explosive cricketer in the world right now.
The 31-year-old is perhaps better known for his record-breaking exploits in the shorter version of the game, but still averages a whopping 52.15 from his 100 Tests so far. De Villers also hit two huge hundreds against the West Indies this time last year, so is 2/1 to be best batsman for his team.
Joe Root top series England batsman
‘Anything you can do, I can do better’ is the motto young Yorkshire star Root seemingly goes by, as there really is no limit to his ability going by his short but highly successful career so far.
With a Test batting average of 54.90, he is on his way to being an England and cricketing great, and can further prove that by getting the most runs of the series against the Proteas this series, which he is priced at 9/4 to do so.
Steven Finn top series England bowler
With England being hit with the news that James Anderson is a fitness doubt ahead of the first Test and with Stuart Broad having played in a packed schedule this year, back returning Finn to step up.
The 26-year-old has come of age, after an inconstant start to his career, and has been impressive in the warm-up against South Africa A, taking figures of 4-34 in the first innings. He is a tempting 3/1 to be best England bowler this series.
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