Go with South Africa at 15-8

South Africa can hit the deck running and beat England in the first Test match, which begins at Lord’s on Thursday.

Most bookmakers make the draw an even-money chance in the belief that the match will be ruined by bad weather. However, a wet Wednesday in the London area looks like being followed by three relatively dry days and that should be enough time for the touring team, chalked up at 15-8 by Ladbrokes and totesport, to take command.

England were too strong for New Zealand during the first half of the summer and are expected to make history by retaining the same XI for a sixth successive match.

However, with such as Ian Bell and Paul Collingwood struggling for runs at the highest level, England, who have slipped to fourth in the Test rankings, look anything but invincible, especially with all-rounder Andrew Flintoff considered surplus to requirements.

By contrast, the touring team are second only to Australia in the rankings and look a squad who still have more to offer.

Graeme Smith, the captain, and Jacques Kallis are long established as class acts - they average 48 and 57 in Tests - while Ashwell Prince and AB de Villiers are also averaging 40 at the highest level.

Dale Steyn, the fastest bowler in the world, is within a whisker of replacing Muttiah Muralitharan at the top of the world bowlers’ rankings, while Morne Morkel can also bowl at more than 90 mph. Then, of course, there is Makhaya Ntini, who already has 344 Test victims to his name, and the aggressive Andre Nel to combat.

South Africa do lack a top-notch spinner but that should not matter granted typically English conditions and it is little wonder that punters have been falling over themselves to back them at evens to win the four-Test series.

David Williams, of Ladbrokes, said: “A draw at Lord’s followed by a South African whitewash this summer would be our nightmare scenario. The weather might save England at HQ but the long term forecast for Vaughan’s men is even gloomier. Nobody wants to know them.”

England are 7-4 to win the series and 11-4 to draw first blood  at Lord’s. Williams said: “The summers when we get to cheer on an England team at home are few and far between. For the time being, we seem to be the only patriotic fans left.”