Make or break for England

England's cricketers must hit the ground running when the second Test against South Africa begins at Yorkshire's Headingley ground on Thursday, if they want to retain the status of top-ranked Test-playing nation.

The home team must either win or draw the game to keep the series alive. Failure to do so would see South Africa claim the three-match series 2-0, with one to play, and replace England at the summit.

South Africa will be optimistic. The manner in which its bowlers dismantled England's batting in the first Test at the Oval was brutal. Dale Steyn led the way, but was superbly supported by the other pacemen, especially Mornie Morkel.