England seek answers on South Africa tour

De Villiers to keep wickets in first two Tests

England’s cricketers arrive in Johannesburg today, with just over two weeks to prepare for a four-Test series against South Africa.

Two three-day warm-up games will help the tourists to decide on the make-up of their best eleven for a series in which both teams will seek to return to winning ways.

The first Test starts in Durban on December 26.

England will have two threeday warm-up matches against South African Invitation teams, in Potchefstroom from next Tuesday and in Pietermaritzburg from December 20.

One of the key questions for the tour selectors will be to decide on an opening partner for captain Alastair Cook.

Moeen Ali opened with Cook in a losing series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates recently but is expected to bat lower in the order against South Africa.

Other opening batsmen in the tour party are South Africa-born Nick Compton, who made two centuries in nine Tests before being discarded after a series against New Zealand in May 2013, and Alex Hales, whose only England appearances so far have been in limited overs games. For South Africa, AB de Villiers will keep wickets in the first two Tests. He was named yesterday as the only wicketkeeper in a 13-man squad for the matches.

Fast bowler Dale Steyn was named in the squad after missing the final three Tests against India recently because of a groin injury.

Fellow fast bowler Vernon Philander is not in the squad after suffering an ankle injury in India.