Kevin Pietersen believes England have the more dangerous bowling attack ahead of the summer series with South Africa, singling out Graeme Swann as the difference between the two sides.
Andrew Strauss’ side, who are 1/1 with bookmaker to win the three-match series, will find their world number one Test status challenged when the second-placed tourists take them on.
Pietersen conceded the South Africans have world-class bowlers in Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander, but pointed out England can call on James Anderson, third in the top Test bowler listings, as well as fourth-placed Swann.
“We probably edge the attack with Swann,” said Pietersen. “But I played with Morne Morkel for the past month in India, and I played against Dale in Delhi the other day and they are absolute world-class bowlers. Philander has started his career brilliantly.
“Our batters are going to have to make sure they deal with whatever comes up against us but their batters face the same sort of task because our attack is pretty special.”