ENG vs ZAF 1st Test Day 1 match prediction 17 Aug 2022

ENG vs SA 1st Test Predictions & Betting Tips

England will take on South Africa in the first Test of the 3-match series on Wednesday, August 17 at the the Lord's in London. Earlier, the two teams played an ODI series of 3-match which ended in a 1-1 draw after rain washed out the series-decider. Following the ODIs, visitors South Africa won the 3-match T20I series which ended on July 31. South Africa then played a 2-T20I series against Ireland and won both the matches. Both the teams have won their respective last five Test matches. England recently won the rescheduled fifth Test against India and whitewashed New Zealand 3-0 prior to it. The team looks unstoppable at the moment under their new captain and coach Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. South Africa last played a Test match in April when they beat Bangladesh by 332 runs to win the series 2-0. Overall, the two teams have played 153 Test matches against each other. England lead the head-to-head tally 64-34. As we gear up for the 1st Test, I have brought to you the best three betting tips from the ENG vs SA 1st Test head-to-head encounter.

ENG vs SA Player Bet:

Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root and Dean Elgar are my top three player betting tips for the ENG vs SA 1st Test. Have a look at it for reaping the best returns.

Jonny Bairstow to score over 26.5 runs in 1st innings

Placing a bet on Jonny Bairstow is a no-brainer at the moment. Bairstow is currently the number 10th ranked Test batter in the world and he has made all the gains in the last couple of months only. In 2022, he has played eight Test matches and scored 994 runs at an average of 76.46 and a strike rate of 76.22. He has hit as many as six hundreds and one fifty. Bairstow has hit four hundreds in his last five Test innings. Such has been the form. In June, the 32-year-old blasted 136 runs off just 92 balls to England gun down a 299-run target against New Zealand in the final two sessions of the match. In fact, England chased down the target in just 50 overs. In the rescheduled fifth Test against India, Bairstow hit a crucial first innings hundred before hitting another in the second as England chased down 378 with seven wickets in hand.

In the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle (2021-23), he is the leading run-scorer after his teammate Joe Root. The Yorkshire star has scored 1218 runs at an average of 55.36 in 13 matches. Overall, he has scored 5415 runs in 87 Test matches at an average of 37.34. Bairstow has played 10 matches against South Africa and scored 848 runs at an average of 49.88. At least over 26.5 runs is very much expected from the right-hand batter. If you feel the same, head over to 1XBET and grab the odds of 1.87 for Jonny Bairstow to score over 26.5 runs in first innings from the ENG vs SA 1st Test head-to-head encounter.

Joe Root to score over 33.5 runs in 1st innings

Former England captain Joe Root is currently the number one ranked Test batsman in the world. He is also the leading run-scorer in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle (2021-23). The superstar of the game has scored 1744 runs at an average of 64.59. He has hit eight hundreds and five fifties in the cycle. In 2022, the 31-year-old has played 9 Test matches and scored 927 runs at an average of 61.80. Five hundreds and a fifty has come in the period. Root has scores of 142*, 31, 86*, 5, 3, 176 and 115* in his last seven innings. The unbeaten 142 came in the second innings against India. The knock pushed India completely out of the game despite posting a 378-run target.

Root has scored 58, 59 and 27 in his last three innings against South Africa. That is only going to improve considering his purple patch. He has played 12 Test matches against South Africa and scored 1164 runs at an average of 52.90. In England, he has played 63 Test matches and scored 5578 runs at an average of 55.22. At Lord's, he has played 17 Test matches and scored 1610 runs at an average of 55.51. The right-hand batter is expected to score high in the first innings against South Africa. If you feel the same, head over to 1XBET and keep an eye on Joe Root from the ENG vs SA 1st Test head-to-head encounter.

Dean Elgar to score over 25.5 runs in 1st innings

South Africa captain Dean Elgar has played a total of 76 Test matches and scored 4864 runs at an average of 39.54. He has 13 hundreds and 22 fifties to his name in the format. The 35-year-old has looked in good form in 2022. He has played a total of six matches and scored 439 runs at an average of 39.90. Four fifties have come in the period and the experienced campaigner would be hoping for a three-figure mark in England. Elgar's scores in his last four Test innings are - 26, 70, 64 and 67. He has played 12 Test matches against England and scored 819 runs at an average of 37.22. He has hit two hundreds and three fifties against the Three Lions. In England, he has played 4 Tests and scored 291 runs at an average of 36.37. Elgar has played only one match at Lord's and scored 56 runs from it.

Elgar has looked resilient in the last couple of years. He has stood his ground in crunch situations and delivered for his team. One such act was on display when India toured South Africa last year. Set a 240-run target by the visitors, he scored 96 unbeaten runs and anchored the entire innings to see his team register a 7-wicket in and level the series 1-1. He led his team to victory in the next match as the Proteas sealed the series 2-1 in their favour. High innings can be expected from Elgar in the first innings of the first test against England. If you feel the same, head over to 1XBET and keep an eye on Dean Elgar from the ENG vs SA 1st Test head-to-head encounter.

My Picks:

Jonny Bairstow to score over 26.5 runs in 1st innings @ 1.87 (1XBET)

Joe Root to score over 33.5 runs in 1st innings @ 1.87 (1XBET)

Dean Elgar to score over 25.5 runs in 1st innings @ 1.87 (1XBET)