England must beware the tourist trap

Multan, Brisbane, Kandy, Hamilton, Chennai and Kingston......the list of England’s losing starts to six of their past seven overseas Test series is too long to be dismissed as coincidence. The team’s conservatism when faced with unfamiliar surroundings has cost them dear and could do so again if they seek to play safe in Wednesday’s first Test match in Centurion, writes Simon Wilde in the Sunday Times.

In the Sunday Telegraph, Barry Richards says: "Here in South Africa the home side and their supporters have been talking a lot about their inconsistency. It seems to me they are falling over themselves to claim underdog status before the Test series starts on Wednesday – and so are England."

"The fate of a series could depend on events in Potchefstroom today. By this evening, maybe earlier but not much later, South Africa will know whether their star all-rounder Jacques Kallis will be fit for the First Test," writes Stephen Brenkley in the Independent on Sunday.

England's cricketers have their opportunity to show the footballers how to do it – how to win in South Africa. Their chances of success are far greater, since the Test series – which starts on Wednesday – is a two-horse race, though, come June, the hysterical optimism that engulfs the national football team during World Cup campaigns will, no doubt, have trampled over any vestige of rationality, writes Vic Marks in the Observer.