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Cape Town - Australian spin-legend Shane Warne believes England will win the upcoming Test series against South Africa 2-0, with rain possibly ruining at least one of the Tests.
Video: South African cricket's new mascot ZAC
According to Beeld, Warne said he cannot see the Proteas prevailing. "Both are good teams, but England's home ground advantage and their bowlers' knowledge of how to utilise the conditions will prove the decisive. The English bowlers know exactly what lengths to bowl and will exploit it," said Warne.
Warne also gave England advice on where to bowl to South Africa's key batsmen.
"Against Graeme Smith you have to bowl wide outside off stump because he can't drive. You'll have trouble if you bowl on his pads because he's very strong hitting on the leg-side. The English bowlers shouldn't even think about getting him out leg before wicket.
"Hashim Amla is very good at placing the ball in gaps with his excellent wrist-work. England should frustrate him by shutting down his run-scoring areas.
"When Jacques Kallis comes in I'll let Stuart Broad (England quickie) bowl and target him with short balls - because that's where he's vulnerable.
"AB de Villiers is also not good against spin bowling, so I'll immediately let Graeme Swann (England off-spinner) bowl to him."
The Proteas slipped to third in the ICC Test rankings over the weekend but a series victory over No 1-ranked England will propel them to the top spot.
Should England either draw or win the series, though, they will stay on top - and if they were to whitewash the tourists, South Africa would drop to fourth in the rankings.
The first Test starts at The Oval in London on Thursday (12:00 SA time).
Video: South African cricket's new mascot ZAC
According to Beeld, Warne said he cannot see the Proteas prevailing. "Both are good teams, but England's home ground advantage and their bowlers' knowledge of how to utilise the conditions will prove the decisive. The English bowlers know exactly what lengths to bowl and will exploit it," said Warne.
Warne also gave England advice on where to bowl to South Africa's key batsmen.
"Against Graeme Smith you have to bowl wide outside off stump because he can't drive. You'll have trouble if you bowl on his pads because he's very strong hitting on the leg-side. The English bowlers shouldn't even think about getting him out leg before wicket.
"Hashim Amla is very good at placing the ball in gaps with his excellent wrist-work. England should frustrate him by shutting down his run-scoring areas.
"When Jacques Kallis comes in I'll let Stuart Broad (England quickie) bowl and target him with short balls - because that's where he's vulnerable.
"AB de Villiers is also not good against spin bowling, so I'll immediately let Graeme Swann (England off-spinner) bowl to him."
The Proteas slipped to third in the ICC Test rankings over the weekend but a series victory over No 1-ranked England will propel them to the top spot.
Should England either draw or win the series, though, they will stay on top - and if they were to whitewash the tourists, South Africa would drop to fourth in the rankings.
The first Test starts at The Oval in London on Thursday (12:00 SA time).
