HAVE YOUR SAY: Rudolph has inside line on Headingley

One more win, after last week’s landslide success in the first Investec Test at The Oval, will give the tourists an unassailable series lead – with one match to play – and will mean England have lasted less than a year as official world-beaters.

South Africa have captain Graeme Smith back, too, following his week-long return to Cape Town to witness the birth of his first child, and are naturally in confident mood after their deeply impressive opening victory.

In Leeds, they have another handy asset in Jacques Rudolph’s local knowledge.

Their No 6 spent five seasons as a Yorkshire batsman, before resuming a Test career which had already included a 2003 victory at this same venue.

“I had five very good years here, and I’ve some fond memories of playing with some really good people,” he said.

“It’s really nice to be back here. I share a lot of sentiment in this place.”

Rudolph acknowledges he owes much to Yorkshire too, for helping him make the most of his potential.

“At the time when I decided to come over here, I was at a bit of a tough place in my career and needed to rediscover my love for the game,” said the 31-year-old left-hander.

“The opportunity was given to me by Yorkshire, and it was five of the most memorable years in my career so far.

“I got thrown into international cricket at a really young age and didn’t really always know how to cope with it.

“In these surroundings, I learned about myself and became more mature as a batsman.”

South Africa all-rounder Albie Morkel is unavailable for this Test match, because of an ankle injury.

The tourists have called up batsman Faf du Plessis as cover.