Michael Atherton previews the upcoming Test series between England and South Africa, and is happy that the home side is going to play a new opponent after a while. Click here for the article in the Times.

Not since the beginning of the Ashes series three years ago has there been such anticipation about the start of a Test series. Yesterday, Michael Vaughan suggested that a series against South Africa is “nearly up there with the Ashes” and if the England captain overstated the case a touch, it was partly in recognition of the fact that the bland fare offered up by 19 consecutive matches against New Zealand will be replaced by something much richer and more varied for the palate.

The Guardian's Mike Selvey says it will be series that "defines England's progress" since Peter Moores took over last year.

The Times' Ivo Tennant talks to the eccentric Billy Bowden ahead of his maiden appearance as an umpire at Lord's.

Meanwhile, the punters, as revealed in the Guardian, are backing South Africa to claim the series.

Meanwhile, Paul Collingwood talks candidly to the Independent's Glenn Moore about the controversial Grant Elliott run-out.

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