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England v South Africa Test Series Betting: England slump after Headingley debacle

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South Africa are firm favourites for a series win with their batsmen looking to dish out even more punishment.

After South Africa polished off England's batsmen last night to record a comprehensive ten wicket second test victory, England have risen to [15.0] in Betfair's Series Winner market.

Going into the series South Africa, with their formidable batting line-up and fearsome bowling attack, were much-fancied favourites to take the series, but when the home side made a commanding start in the Lords Test, with Kevin Pietersen posting an ebullient 152 and Ian Bell a Test best 199, England were backed as low as [2.02].

The difference between the sides so far, however, has been that whereas England's bowlers were unable to capitalise on a winning position, allowing the First Test to peter out into a draw, South Africa's attack made no such mistake on a more fertile Headingley wicket.

Going into the fourth day England were faced with the unenviable task of weathering the South African attack for two full days but, with the exception of Alastair Cook, Tim Ambrose and nightwatchman James Anderson, they lacked the necessary resilience and now find themselves at [4.4] to win the Third Test, which begins at Egbaston next Wednesday.

South Africa are [2.2] to triumph at Birmingham and [1.36] to win the series. A drawn series is available at [4.8].

The top South African batsman market remains a compelling one with A B de Villiers as high as [5.1] despite his pivotal 174 at Headingley. At the end of play on the second day Ashwell Prince, who had been tipped by experts in the Top First Innings South African Batsmen market, looked a solid bet at 135 not out but he fell the following morning on a career best 149 and watched from the pavilion as de Villier's innings eclipsed his effort.

Prince is now a best price [2.52] to be South Africa's Top Batsmen for the series.

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