South Africa vs. England final Test: Can ‘visitors end series with victory’ in Johannesburg?

England head into their final Test match against hosts South Africa with a 2-1 lead, having secured their biggest away win in over nine years in the third Test.

Having declared on 499-9, the visitors bowled their opponents out for 209 and 237 in their first and second innings respectively.

In a dominant display, the away side clinched victory by an innings and 53 runs.

It’s currently 8/11 for England to finish off the series with a win. It’s 5/2 for South Africa to clinch victory, while a draw is available at 7/2.

SYDNEY,AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 4: Australian supporter enjoys with a glass of beer in the final Ashes Test cricket match at Sydney Cricket Ground,Australia on January 4, 2014

Several of England’s batsmen chipped in with important scores, but none more so than Ollie Pope. He hit 135 not out, adding to Ben Stokes’ 120 to create a fantastic partnership.

The pair will once again be looking to add to their tallies in the series. Stokes is currently 10/1 to be named man of the match, with Pope available at 14/1.

Other contenders for man of the match include captain Joe Root and Joe Denly. The former is currently 11/1, with the latter available at 25/1.

For the home side, it’s Faf Du Plessis, Quinton De Kock and Dean Elgar who will be aiming to drive their team level with the bat.

De Kock is available at 12/1 to be man of the match, while Du Plessis and Elgar are currently 14/1.

Also looking to help level the series will be Pieter Malan and Temba Bavuma. They are 14/1 and 16/1 respectively to clinch the man of the match trophy.

With the ball, it’s Keshav Maharaj who will be out to clinch further success. He picked up five wickets in the last Test, and is currently 11/2 to once again pick up the most wickets for the hosts.

Kagiso Rabada claimed two England wickets last time out, but has since been banned for the final game after being found guilty of breaching the ICC Code of Conduct for over celebrating after bowling out Root.

The onus has, therefore, fallen on his team-mates Anrich Nortje and Dane Paterson. The former is available at 3/1 to be the top bowler for South Africa, with the latter currently 5/1.

And for England, it’s Stuart Broad, Dom Bess and Mark Wood who will most likely be entrusted with limiting the scoring from the opposition.

Broad is currently 11/4 to be his side’s top bowler, with Bess available at 11/2.

Wood is available at 7/2 to be England’s top wicket taker throughout the match.
It’s currently 11/10 for the hosts to take a first innings lead. And it’s 1/6 for a century to be scored in the match.

The action starts on Friday at New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.

And there certainly isn’t much time for either side to relax after the Test finishes. They meet again next month for three ODI games, followed by three T20 matches.