Proteas outsiders for Lord's, series

Cape Town - The Proteas go into Thursday's first Test against England at Lord's as outsiders. 

According to local bookmakers Sportingbet, South Africa are 11/4 to win the first of four Tests while England are favourites at 10/11. The draw comes is on offer at 5/2. 

The odds on the Proteas winning the series are not much better. 

England can be backed at 8/15 to win the series while the Proteas are at 7/2. The draw is the unlikeliest result at 4/1. 

The Proteas go into the series as the second ranked side in Test cricket while England are fourth, but home ground advantage and the fact that South Africa are coming off a bad run of limited overs results have clearly worked in England's favour. 

Both sides will be fielding new captains as England start a new era under the leadership of Joe Root while Dean Elgar will skipper the Proteas in the absence of Faf du Plessis. 

Play on Thursday starts at 12:00 (SA time).