Harmison a 'desperate' Choice, Says Sa Coach Arthur

Steve Harmison's recall was yesterday described as "desperate" and a "quick fix" by South Africa's coach, Mickey Arthur. The 29-year-old Durham paceman, who is 10th in England's list of all-time wicket-takers with 212, was named in the 13-man squad for the third Test against South Africa, which starts tomorrow at Edgbaston. He has not featured in an England side for 4½ months, since being dropped after the Test defeat by New Zealand in Hamilton.

"I don't know what England's plans are," Arthur said. "Are they planning for the Ashes or are they planning for the now? Obviously if they were planning down the line for the Ashes they would probably be going with the young pack, but if they're desperate and looking for a win right now they might go back to the quick fix. England are possibly in the position we were in a couple of years ago."

That comment was not the only barb from the South Africa camp yesterday. Andre Nel, the fast bowler down to replace Dale Steyn, who has a fractured left thumb, said England should be managing their bowlers better. "They bowled well in the first Test but they should be smarter with their bowlers, rest them, keep them fresher. [Stuart] Broad looks very tired. He seems like he's not bowling the amount of overs he should be. He's being carried.

"Somehow they need to use their bowlers smartly, get bowlers to come in and cover for each other. They're a good attack but sometimes they've got to keep them a bit fresher. Some of them don't look as fresh as they could be."

Nel also referred to his on-field personality, an alter ego called Gunther who makes the South African the pantomime villain he is. He had referred to Gunther as "a guy who lives in the mountains and doesn't get much oxygen to the brain". Yesterday he added: "I've got more tame. I'm trying to use my aggression in different ways. But Gunther will definitely be sneaking out somewhere along the line."

Nel's Essex team-mate Alastair Cook, who will face him at Edgbaston, said: "I know about Gunther. He's an idiot. Andre is a gentle giant off the pitch but I think he needs Gunther on it."