Graeme Smith thinks his South Africa side (8/13 to win the series on outright coupon) have a better bowling attack than England for the upcoming Test series.

The South African captain believes England (11/4 to win the series, 7/2 draw on coupon) are missing the element of surprise in their bowling options and they have selected a “conservative” attack for the series which starts in Centurion on Wednesday.

England have been suffering with injury concerns and the selectors called James Tredwell into the touring party this week.

Smith thinks the absence of Durham pace bowler Steve Harmison removes some of the surprise from the English bowling attack, despite all of the tourist’s main bowlers being fit.

He told The Guardian: “They have gone for steady bowlers – reliable people they can trust to do a certain job. But they haven’t picked a Harmison, who can offer pace and bounce. They don’t have that in their squad.”

The Proteas captain added that England also rely too much on their opening batsman, particularly skipper Andrew Strauss, as he looked to stoke the fires ahead of the first Test (South Africa 6/5, England 14/5 to win the Test on coupon).