Graeme Smith is ready to make England favourites for their five-Test series, which starts today.

The South African skipper admitted his side were outsiders as he left West Sussex and headed for the first Test at Edgbaston.

Not that it necessarily means he believes England are the better side.

Smith's men enjoyed a valuable work out with bat and ball as they drew with India A at Arundel in their final pre-Test fixture.

At 22, Smith is the youngest skipper in Test cricket but he can clinch a place in history by leading his side to a landmark series win.

That was certainly the aim as the tourists enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere of the Castle Ground.

Smith admitted: "I think it is going to be a tough series. England have a little bit of a head start on us because of home conditions.

"It will be tough on our behalf because we haven't won here in the modern era. I didn't play against them when they toured South Africa last time but they are definitely an improving side.

"They have got experienced guys who have come back into their Test side and I think they have won three or four Test matches in a row now so they are obviously on a bit of a high.

"After winning the one-day series they will be on a bit of high so we've got our work cut out and we will have to play some decent cricket to beat them."

He added: "Coming to Arundel is good practice for us in many ways. I don't know how similar the wicket is going to be the Edgbaston wicket but it's time in the middle and that's the best sort of practice.

"Arundel is a really good batting wicket. There's not a lot of pace and bounce so you have to work really hard as a bowler but we were nice and disciplined and bowled to our fields."

The memory of their Natwest Series final pummelling at Lord's was the least of South Africa's concerns as they made the traditional pre-Test trip to the Castle Ground.

Fast bowler Shaun Pollock only arrived the night before the game after a trip to Durban to visit his wife Tricia, who is expecting their first child.

Pollock is likely to miss the fourth Test to attend the birth while all-rounder Jacques Kallis is at home in Cape Town, where his father died this week.

South Africa need all the experience they can get with just five of the party having played Test cricket in England but Smith insists he can cope with the stresses of leading the squad.

He said: "It's a three month tour away from home which isn't easy so it's important to give guys a little break.

"Your time is quite consumed by things and you've got to find your own time to prepare and to relax as well. That's probably the hardest thing but otherwise I'm really enjoying the job "