Contrasting styles give competitive series an intriguing backdrop

GEORGE DOBELL AT LORD'S: This series should provide a decent challenge of England's method. Not only do South Africa have an excellent seam attack, but conditions could be just a little more demanding for batting

South Africa could provide the sternest Test yet of Ben Stokes' new, emboldened England.

South Africa are currently No.1 in the World Test Championship standings, after all. And while they do not, perhaps, possess the stand-out names of the past, they retain an outstanding seam attack, a choice to quality spinners and some obdurate batters.

They may well offer a clash of style with this England side, too. While England look certain to continue the aggressive approach which led them to four successive victories earlier in the summer, South Africa are likely to play a more traditional, even attritional form of the game. It will be intriguing to see if such an approach frustrates an England side who currently treat impatience as a virtue.

Equally, though, England's approach could spook South Africa. For while the South Africa camp is insistent they aren't interested in how England are playing, it is a topic of conversation at every press conference they hold. As Stokes put it: "Dean Elgar and the South African team keep saying they're not interested [in talking about England's approach] but then also keep talking about it."

It's hard to know exactly where England are as a Test side right now. Four wins in succession would suggest they are in pretty good shape. But there was only one win in the 17 Tests before the recent run. More than that, when you look at the individual positions, you see an over-reliance about Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow for runs and an over-reliance upon two seamers with a combined age of 76.

They were, arguably, on the back foot for considerable periods in all four of those victories; it took some record-breaking performances to turn them round. That probably hints at an admirable team spirit, but you suspect they will require more consistency to contest for the World Test Championship.

^{Dean Elgar has reiterated that South Africa are unconcerned by England's new style of play (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)}

In particular, there could do with far greater returns from their openers. For all that Stokes praises them at every opportunity – he called their opening partnership of 107 at Edgbaston "the most pleasing thing" in the Test summer to date – they're not actually scoring many runs. Alex Lees has had the benefit of some of the most benevolent batting conditions possible in the course of his Test career yet averages 25.50 after seven Tests, while Zak Crawley hasn't reached 50 in his 14 most recent first-class innings.

That's not to say England are wrong to stick with them. As Stokes put it: "They got there in to the team because you think they are good enough, so you need to let guys have time to go out and perform, not put pressure on them to perform in their first two or three games. In my opinion that's just unfair."

Still, a generation of previous England batters – the likes of Michael Carberry, Nick Compton or, going further back, Matt Maynard or Peter Willey - could be forgiven for wishing they had enjoyed such opportunity. At some stage, they will have to repay the investment England have made in them. They cannot rely on miracles from Bairstow too often.

To balance this side, Stokes surely needs to contribute more with the ball than he has so far this summer. Indeed, since July 24, 2020, Stokes has claimed only 26 wickets in 18 Tests at an average of 36.26. In 14 innings he has either not bowled or delivered fewer than five overs.

He bowled in training at Lord's on Tuesday but it was telling that, when asked if he would "still be bowling at 40" – a clear reference to James Anderson – he replied "miles-per-hour?" It might have been a joke, but it might also have been a somewhat sensitive response to a suggestion his pace has dropped a little. Either way, this side looks far better – and better balanced – with a fit Stokes able to play a full role as an allrounder. His knee might be more important.

^{England have looked relaxed in their pre-series preparations (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)}

So, this series should provide a decent challenge of England's method. Not only do South Africa have an excellent seam attack – to be fair, New Zealand and India had that, too – but conditions could be just a little more demanding for batting. For one thing, the new batch of Dukes ball is thought to retain its shape and hardness a little longer than those used earlier in the summer. They should offer bowlers just a little more encouragement. There seems little doubt England will continue to attack.

What state England are in remains to be seen. Several of this side haven't played first-class cricket since the India Test, which ended on July 5, with no option to call people out of Championship cricket should they be required. England's domestic schedule, you suspect, continues to complicate matters for their Test team.

On that subject, it is to be hoped that some of those who celebrate every decent gate at a Hundred match as if it is the first time spectators have ever come to watch the sport, will acknowledge the excellent attendances anticipated throughout this series. Test cricket continues to sell well in England. It remains an act of vandalism to risk its ongoing viability by treating the County Championship with such disrespect. It will come back to bite.

For now, though, this England side is playing some of the most unpredictable, dynamic and entertaining cricket in its history. And, after a grim few months where England looked a jaded, diminished team, that is to be celebrated. This series, against a highly motivated and good quality opposition, should be a lot of fun.

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