SA Tour of England 2022
For test cricket fans, England against South Africa will always be special. Will South Africa finally win in England again or will England retain the Basil D’Oliveira Trophy?
It’s summer in the northern hemisphere, also one of the hottest and driest on record, but with this also brings the SA tour of England 2022 to our tv screens.
With the 4-test cricket series, known now as the Basil D’Oliveira Trophy starting on the 17th of August, we look at a few key points leading up to the test series, current form as well as expectations from both teams.
History of the Basil D’Oliveira Trophy
So Basil D’Oliveira was a South African born English test cricketer who was included in the England Test cricket team’s tour to South Africa in 1968-69. His inclusion also led to the series being cancelled after the South African authorities objected as a result of Basil’s skin color.
The Basil D’Oliveira Trophy is contested for between the England and South African cricket teams. The first contest for the trophy happened during the 2004-2005 season and was held in South Africa.
Following the inception of the trophy, there have been 6 bi-lateral series between these two nations. Therefore below we look at the results of all 7 series to date.
Past England v SA Cricket Series Results
The 2004-2005 series consisted of 5 tests and was held in South Africa. England beat South Africa 2-1. More so with 2 tests drawn.
So in 2008, South Africa toured England which saw the teams battle it out in a 4-test series. South Africa replied with a 2-1 over England, with 1 test being drawn.
2009/10 series England was in South Africa again. Another 4-test series, this time the series was drawn with a win a piece and 2 of the tests also being drawn. This meant that as the holders of the trophy, South Africa held onto it for another couple of year.
South Africa again travelled to England in 2012, this time for a 3-test series. South Africa convincingly beat England 2-0, and 1 drawn test. This series win would however be the last against England for the foreseeable future.
South Africa again hosted England in 2015/2016. Series consisted of 4 tests. England beat South Africa 2-1, and 1 drawn result. The trophy now belonged to England again for the first time since 2004/05.
The following year, 2017, South Africa found themselves in England again for a 4-test series. This time, the result will hurt even more as England thrashed South Africa 3-1 in a very one sided series.
In 2019-20, just before the word descended into COVID chaos, England visited South Africa again, having held the trophy for the past 2 series contested and looking to extend their run. And that they did. England again convincingly beat South Africa on home soil 3-1. A tough defeat for the SA fans and team.
2022 Test Series
So now, after years of waiting, with the world returning to normal, or what we call a new normal. South Africa find themselves in England for a 3-test series. South Africa will be keen to reverse their recent fortunes against England, but easy it will not be.
The unpredictable English weather conditions, the loud crowds, a different cricket ball, and the fact that no one in the top 6 order has played test cricket in England will make this trip a very challenging one indeed.
But we stand behind our boys in green (white) and hope that they will bring the test series win and trophy back home!
Test Series Schedule
Overall there are only 3 tests in this series. Thus they are scheduled to be played as follows:
- 1st Test, Lord’s, August 17 – 21, 2022
- 2nd Test, Manchester, August 25 – 29, 2022
- 3rd Test, The Oval, September 08 – 12, 2022
Key Players to Watch
So in the South African camp, Dean Elgar, the new South African test captain is in great form. Therefore having taken charge of 4 test series to date his record of 3 wins and 1 draw. He is also South Africa’s leading run scorer in tests since taking over the captaincy. We hope he can also lead the Proteas from the front on this occasion, potentially also scoring his first century as captain. That is to say it would be great.
James Anderson, the latter having turned 40 last month will also pick up his 173rd test cap. What a milestone. So for Elgar, he will need to be cautious as James has dismissed him 4 times in 9 tests. Joe Root and Johnny Bairstow have also been in great test form in recent outings.
ICC World Test Championship 2021-2023
Both teams have won 4 of their last test matches. South Africa however with a higher win % of matches currently sit atop the ICC World test Championship table for the 2021-2023 season with England down in 7th. South Africa would want to keep their position while England would want to improve greatly on theirs.
| Ranking | Teams | Win % |
| 1 | South Africa | 71.43% |
| 2 | Australia | 70.00% |
| 3 | Sri Lanka | 53.33% |
| 4 | India | 52.08% |
| 5 | Pakistan | 51.85% |
| 6 | West Indies | 50.00% |
| 7 | England | 33.33% |
| 8 | New Zealand | 25.93% |
| 9 | Bangladesh | 13.33% |
SA Tour of England 2022 Bookies’ Favourites
Bet and Win had a look at who the bookies favour early on to win the 1st test as well as take the overall series win where these markets were available.
South Africa is at this point in time the clear underdogs.
| Market | Betway | Bet.co.za | Supabets |
| 1st Test | England | England | England |
| Series Win | Not Available Yet | England | England |
Although we can see that England is the firm favorites for both the first test as well as the series, SA with it’s young team will be out in full force to ensure these odds change.
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South Africa Tour of England 2022 Final Thoughts
It’s been a rough couple of year against England’s test team, but South Africa is remerging as a test force. While sitting atop of the test championship table coming from 7th when Deal Elgar took over, they will want to prove that they deserve their sport atop.
We know England also under their new coach Brendon McCullum will want to showcase their new style of attacking test cricket, but also follow up their test series win against New Zealand with another win.
What we know is that we are in for some great test cricket over the coming weeks and above all we cannot wait for the battle to start.
