SOUTH AFRICA V ENGLAND 1ST TEST: TV channel, schedule, team news, weather – All you need to know

As England and South Africa prepare for the Boxing Day Test, The Cricketer has all the news you need ahead of the first Test of the four-match series

What is it?

England’s four-match Test series against South Africa gets underway at Supersport Park, Centurion, on Boxing Day.

What's the schedule?

FIRST TEST: Supersport Park, Centurion (Thursday, December 26 to Monday, December 30, 8am GMT)

SECOND TEST: Newlands, Cape Town (Friday, January 3 to Tuesday, January 7, 8.30am GMT)

THIRD TEST: St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth (Thursday, January 16 to Monday, January 20, 8am GMT)

FOURTH TEST: New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg (Friday, January 24 to Tuesday, January 28)

What are England's chances?

Well, England did, in fact, win on their last visit to South African shores. The result – a 2-1 victory for Alastair Cook’s side – was one of the highlights of Trevor Bayliss’ time in charge of the Test team. It was a series of highlights: Ben Stokes’ monstrous 258, Jonny Bairstow’s maiden Test hundred, Stuart Broad’s remarkable match-defining – and series-winning – spell of 6 for 17 at Wanderers, James Taylor’s lightning reflexes at short leg, Temba Bavuma's landmark century.

Much has changed in both camps since; South Africa’s troubles have been well-documented in recent weeks. However, in Graeme Smith, there lies a revered figure known only too well to English cricketers. Mark Boucher is leading the side as head coach, while Jacques Kallis, Charl Langeveldt and Paul Harris are all involved, with Jacques Faul in as acting chief executive.

For England, Chris Silverwood is still awaiting a first Test win in charge after losing in New Zealand, though there were signs of progress in the patience of their batting. The return of James Anderson from injury – he was part of the visiting England side that beat Smith’s side in 2004/05 – will only benefit Joe Root.

In 2016, when these teams last faced off in Test cricket in South Africa, Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers captained in two matches each, with Amla resigning the role after the second Test. Amla, Kyle Abbott, Morne Morkel, Rilee Rossouw, Dane Vilas, Hardus Viljoen and Stiaan van Zyl have all taken up contracts as Kolpak players in county cricket since.

In England’s case, Cook was still captain, while there were places in the touring squad for Nick Compton, Mark Footitt, Gary Ballance, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Samit Patel and Steven Finn.

These series have tended to be tight and it is hard to see this one being any different.

^{James Anderson led England's bowling attack in both warmup games to prove his fitness}

Who's in and who's out?

From the squad that toured New Zealand, there are returns for the fit-again Anderson and Mark Wood, while Bairstow returns to the fold, having been left out for the red-ball series against Kane Williamson’s Blackcaps.

With Stuart Broad, Jofra Archer and Jack Leach all struggling with flu-like symptoms in the build-up to the first Test, Somerset pair Dom Bess and Craig Overton have been called up as cover. It is unlikely that either will play, however. Matt Parkinson has kept his place in the squad, with Moeen Ali still unavailable for selection in Test cricket. Saqib Mahmood is the one man from the previous touring party to miss out.

Squad: Joe Root (c), James Anderson, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jack Leach, Craig Overton, Matt Parkinson, Ollie Pope, Dom Sibley, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

What about South Africa?

South Africa have included six uncapped players in their squad for the first Test against England later this month.

Dane Paterson, Pieter Malan, Rassie van der Dussen, Beuran Hendricks, Dwaine Pretorius and Rudi Second could all make debuts after being included in the 17-strong group for the first Two Tests.

The Proteas have made a raft of alterations from the squad which was whitewashed 3-0 by India during their last outing in the format.

Theunis de Bruyn, Heinrich Klaasen, George Linde, Senuran Muthusamy and Dane Piedt have all been omitted.

As expected, Lungi Ngidi has been left out after a hamstring injury ruled him out of the first Test at Centurion starting on Boxing Day.

Vernon Philander has announced that he will retire at the end of the series.

Squad: Faf du Plessis, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Dean Elgar, Beuran Hendricks, Keshav Maharaj, Pieter Malan, Aiden Markram, Zubayr Hamza, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson, Andile Phehlukwayo, Vernon Philander, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Rudi Second, Rassie van der Dussen

^{Rassie van der Dussen could make his Test debut}

What will the weather be like?

After a sunny and warm start on Boxing Day, rain is forecast for much of the second day of the Test. Over the weekend, temperatures will stay around the 25-degree mark.

How can I follow it?

As always, England fans can watch the game live on Sky Sports Main Event (Sky 401, Virgin 501, TalkTalk 402, BT 402) and Sky Sports Cricket (Sky 404, Virgin 504, TalkTalk 405). Daily coverage begins from 7am GMT.

Viewers without Sky Sports packages can watch the coverage live online through Now TV, which is available through computers, mobile devices, games consoles and selected smart TVs.

Radio coverage will be available exclusively on TalkSPORT 2.

The Cricketer will be providing full coverage of the series via our social media channels with regular score updates, while our website will publish daily reports throughout each Test.

What are the odds?

Bookmakers are preparing for a close contest first up, with Dafabet currently offering 23/20 for an England win. South Africa are available at 13/10, with a draw at 17/4.

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