1st Test (Preview) - South Africa vs England

July 5 (CRICKETNMORE) - The first test of the four match series between England and South Africa is starting at Lords from Thursday. England already won the ODI and T20 series and now eyeing test series.

England have recalled batsman Gary Ballance for the first test against South Africa at Lord's  starting on Thursday . The Middlesex pace bowler Toby Roland-Jones  is also selected in the squad as the only uncapped player  for England .

England Squad

Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Liam Dawson, Keaton Jennings, Toby Roland-Jones, Ben Stokes, Mark Wood

Under the familiar conditions and in-front of the home crowd, England are certainly looking favorites. The Cricket Betting Also showing England as favorites.

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South Africa captain Faf du Plessis will miss the first test against England at Lords due to family reasons, the  South Africa cricket board confirmed on Monday. Du Plessis has stayed in South Africa to be with wife Imari following the birth of the couple's first child.

"Faf's wife gave birth to their first child last week but the difficult nature of the delivery has delayed his return to the UK," team manager Mohammed Moosajee said in a statement.

"The mother and baby have settled at home, but he will be unable to make it back in time to take part in the first Test. He will link up with the squad in the UK later this week."

Opening batsman Dean Elgar will lead the team and become the 12th player to captain South Africa since their readmission to international cricket in 1992. Also fast bowler  Vernon Philander has been cleared to play.  South Africa are already without former captain seamer Dale Steyn due to a shoulder injury and former captain AB de Villiers, who is taking a break from Test cricket.

South Africa Squad

Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Theunis de Bruyn, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Dean Elgar (Captain), Heino Kuhn, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Duanne Olivier, Andile Phehlukwayo, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada.