England has not got the best start while opting to bat first after winning the toss in the first Test against South Africa at Lord’s They have lost 3-wickets before the completion of the half-century of the team. They 81/4, right now. It’s raining cricket in England since the end of May, first, the series against South Africa itself in the shorter format which England won with the lead of 2-1 over South Africa than the ICC Champions Trophy won by Pakistan defeating India in the finals, followed the ICC Woman’s World 2017 which underway and today starts four-test series starts between England and South Africa.
It’s the first Test for England since an innings defeat from India in Chennai in December having a new captain, Joe Root as England’s 80th Test captain. He will be joining Steven Smith, Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson as the last of the Big Four to take on a captaincy role. They were hammered by India by a 0-4 series defeat resulting the resignation of Alastair Cook as England captain in February.
England is the favorite venue for the Proteas and Lord’s has always been a favorable ground for them, they have not lost at Lord’d since 1960 and won four of their last five Test matches here, they are unbeaten in Test series in England since past 20 years. While England have lost five of their last six Tests at this debut,
South Africa is playing this Test match in the absence of its key players, while AB De Villiers is not present with the team due to an elbow injury, captain Faf du Plessis is not playing because he has been blessed with his first child. Pacer South Africa too has not recovered from the shoulder injury. Despite the absence of all these experienced player, South Africa still have a lot of stuff in the box. Veteran Hashim Amla, who is the first from South Africa to score a triple hundred Tests and is just 48 runs away from becoming third South African to complete 8000-runs in Tests. Young Quinton de Kock, world cricket is looking at this batsman with lots of expectations. Morne Morkel and Vernon Philandor and can bend any opposition on its knees on their day.
