Everything you need to know, including where to place your money, as the hosts aim to extend their series lead at Trent Bridge.
Joe Root enjoyed a winning debut as England skipper last at Lord’s, with every one of his team contributing, to different extents, to a convincing victory.
But the hosts still have several questions to answer heading to Trent Bridge.
Root, Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali were forced to bail out yet another top-order collapse on day one of the first Test, though the top three – particularly Alastair Cook – did make up for it somewhat second time around.
Down at the other end, Liam Dawson looks set for an extended Test match career simply to keep last week’s man of the match, Moeen, happy.
The off-spinner improved with the ball in the second innings, but did not make a run in the match and was patently outbowled by the Worcestershire all-rounder.
Moeen, according to coach Trevor Bayliss, responds best when described as a “batsman who bowls a bit”, though, so Dawson plays as well.
Hmm.
The struggling South Africans, meanwhile, welcome back captain Faf du Plessis, who has quite a job on to reverse the fortunes of a failing batting line-up.
And that positive is cancelled out by Kagiso Rabada’s suspension, whose replacement will certainly hope for more support in the field after several valuable chances were shelled at Lord’s.
Taking all of that into account, here are our best bets for the second Test:
Alastair Cook: Under 31.5 1st innings runs: {ODDS:169307362:5/6}
Cook’s Test record at Trent Bridge is comfortably worse than at any other English ground.
The 32-year-old has reached 50 just once in Nottingham, scoring fewer than 32 in 11 of his 15 innings.
Stuart Broad: Over 1.5 1st innings wickets: {ODDS:169307585:4/7}
Broad was quiet at Lord’s, and a repeat would be distinctly uncharacteristic.
On his home ground – where he took a famous Ashes 8-for two years ago – the 31-year-old is sure to hit his straps.
Top South African bowler: Morne Morkel – {ODDS:169308240:11/4}
Vernon Philander may exploit England’s top order as a fine new-ball bowler, but he is far less effective later in the innings.
As the only other senior bowler available, Morkel is the obvious bet.
Man of the Match: Joe Root – {ODDS:169308254:6/1}
The captain has recorded centuries in both of England’s last two Test matches at Trent Bridge, and is in the form to do so again.
Bar another standout bowling performance – such as Moeen’s at Lord’s – that would be enough, and is available at attractive odds.
England to win– {ODDS:167357488:4/7}
England have won six of their last seven tests at Trent Bridge, drawing the other on a poor pitch against India.
Considering all of South Africa’s problems, another home win is imminent.
Insider knowledge:
Which bat does Joe Root use?
Joe Root uses the New Balance TC 1260 bat. The model is also used by Australian Aaron Finch, while Steve Smith and Ben Stokes use other New Balance bats.
