England can Test top-ranked but shaken South Africa in series

The Proteas are still holders of that award, having won on both occasions in England either side of that stalemate, and are the odds-on 8/11 favourites to win on home soil for the first time against them since 1999/2000 or 4/1 to take another draw.

Alastair Cook and co have plenty to feel confident about ahead of the series, though, after beating Pakistan in both one-day events and claiming the Ashes against Australia in the summer.

On top of that, the England captain has been in fine form in the warm-ups, recently hitting 126 against South Africa A in Pietermaritzburg, with his deputy Joe Root managing 117.

England stars in-form

The duo are respective 5/2 and 9/4 chances to be top series batsman for their team. While, for the opening Test in Durban on Boxing Day, Yorkshireman Root is the subject of a Coral enhanced wincast, with odds of 11/1 to get the highest first innings score for England and the visitors win.

Cook, however, hit a hundred at the upcoming Kingsmead ground back in 2009 on his side’s way to a victory, and is 11/1 in the normal wincast market.

It remains to be seen who will be Cook’s latest opening partner, with Moeen Ali failing in the land of his heritage Pakistan – though the spinning all-rounder will most likely regain his place down the order especially after taking 6-77 in the tour match.

Alex Hales is the man who looks set to step up to the plate, after finally recording a decent score in the warm-ups (56), with former top order flop and South African-born Nick Compton hoping to impress at number three, with Ian Bell dropped.

Gary Ballance and James Taylor will also be battling it out for places in the XI, but may get their chance as the series progresses.

In terms of bowling, pacemen Steven Finn, back from injury, and Ben Stokes have also highly impressed taking many wickets, though James Anderson and Stuart Broad will still be the main men.

Broad got six wickets in 2009 at Kingsmead, Durban, so is 5/2 to be best England bowler again in the opening Test, and 15/8 favourite for the whole series.

Hosts hoping to rely on all-round talent

For the hosts, meanwhile, they will be skippered by brilliant batsman Hashim Amla, who is just five behind counterpart Cook’s total Test centuries of 28.

Amla is 5/2 to be best South Africa batsman overall, with perhaps the most talented and explosive current cricketer in the world AB de Villiers topping that market at 2/1.

England must also be aware of world class bowlers Morne Morkel (11/4 to be best Protea with the ball this series) and the returning Dale Steyn (9/4) in attack, though will be happy that Vernon Philander misses out.

England love playing in Durban

One thing for sure is that this clash lasting a month will produce highly-competitive battles, with both sides having plenty to prove.

South Africa are the 5/4 home favourites to win the first Test, but England are undefeated in Durban in their last 11 against the Proteas (since way back in 1928) so are 2/1 chances.

Three of the last four, meanwhile, were draws, so that outcome once more is priced at 5/2.

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Coral’s top tip: With England in confidence and South Africa having just been thrashed by India, back the visitors to win the Test series at 9/4.