South Africa coach Arthur takes aim at 'desperate' England on eve of third Test

The tourists' stock comment relating to Michael Vaughan and his team is that they have no comment to make. The Proteas insist it is their job to concentrate on themselves and ignore what England are doing. But faced with opponents in a state of turmoil, Arthur cannot resist indulging in mind games.

Mickey taker: South Africa coach Mickey Arthur has taken the opportunity to question England's selection policy ahead of the third Test at Edgbaston.

At Headingley, the home selectors served up the unknown Darren Pattinson and the world queued up to dump scorn on them. At Edgbaston this week, they have given Vaughan and coach Peter Moores a 13-man squad including Steve Harmison, plus a number of dilemmas to resolve in relation to the balance of the final XI.

Sensing uncertainty and desperation, Arthur pounced yesterday lunchtime. 'I don't know what England's plans are,' he said. 'Are they planning for the Ashes or now? I'm not sure. If they're looking down the line at the Ashes I guess they would stick with the young guys but if they're desperate and looking for a win now they might be going for a quick fix. I don't know what their vision is for the team.

'I would be very surprised if Collingwood doesn't play. By all accounts Harmison is bowling very well. Do they risk going with one less batter and have Ambrose at six with Flintoff at seven, which would be a long tail beginning at eight? Or do they go with Collingwood at six, have one less bowler and a stronger batting line-up?'

No doubt Arthur relishes asking questions about England's intentions as a means of highlighting the uncertainty surrounding their strategy and direction. His side, on the other hand, are far more settled and in possession of a clear blueprint for success built on a fearsome fast bowling unit.

Dale Steyn's broken thumb has paved the way for the return of Andre Nel, who was last seen cavorting in front of the pavilion at Headingley after Hashim Amla's first-innings dismissal had been over-turned by video referral. The normally genial 31-year-old paceman leans heavily on his natural aggression and hostility on the field. But, as it turns out, that is the work of another man, a crazed German called Gunther - Nel's alter-ego.

Gunther¿s back: Andre Nel and his German alter-ego return for South Africa.

The veteran of 34 Tests since 2001 explained how his split personality has developed.

He said: 'I was messing around with one of the computer guys one day and we were talking about myself on the field. He said: 'You know those guys who live in Germany in the mountains and have a lack of oxygen to the brain?'

'Well that is Gunther and that is me when I bowl. There is definitely a lack of oxygen to the brain, it makes me go mental. Occasionally Andre has to keep Gunther in line.

'As soon as I get thrown the ball it's like a little switch goes in my head. It's time to get aggressive.'

Nel has taken 119 Test wickets at 31 and had a fine series against the West Indies at the start of this year. But he was left out of the squad to tour India as a victim of South Africa's controversial quota system.

During a colourful career, he was sent home from a South Africa 'A' tour of Australia in 2003 for drink-driving and later in the same year he was found guilty of smoking marijuana in the West Indies. But his charismatic personality has made him popular.

England opener Alastair Cook, who has played alongside Nel at Essex, said he was aware of 'Gunther', joking: 'Yeah, I do know him. He's an idiot!'

But the left-hander added: 'It's just part of him (Nel). He's a friendly giant off the pitch. We get on well and I hope he comes back to play at Essex because he's a good bowler. I hope he does well this week, but not too well!'