Arthur - England will come out firing

Arthur: Determined

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South Africa coach Mickey Arthur believes that England will "come out firing" in the third npower Test at Edgbaston, which starts on Wednesday.

The Proteas went 1-0 up in the four-Test series last time out at Headingley, with England's dismal 10-wicket defeat further blighted by controversies surrounding team selection.

Arthur predicts a stronger showing from England in Birmingham, but also reckons his own side's obdurate play in the opening two Tests reflects a determination to preserve their advantage in the series - something they failed to achieve in 1998 and 2003.

He said: "We expect a better performance from England. They are going to come out firing and harder. They will have been hurt by the criticism they received and we expect them to come out firing.

"We will need our 'A' game in place out there in the middle to counter that.

"But it makes us stronger because there are a lot of guys in our dressing room who have held leads over England here and haven't finished it off.

"This time they are determined to make the lead count."

Nevertheless, Arthur believes that any decision by England to include Steve Harmison in their starting XI will be seen as a "quick fix".

The Durham paceman could make his first international appearance since being axed along with Matthew Hoggard after the first Test of the winter series in New Zealand.

The selectors placed their faith in youngsters Stuart Broad and James Anderson during the recent home series with the Black Caps and the opening two Tests with the Proteas as England build towards next summer's Ashes.

But Harmison has now been brought back into the squad as England look to avoid a home series defeat against South Africa for the first time since they were allowed back into the international fold in the mid-1990s.

Arthur added: "I don't know what England's plans are. If they were planning down the line for the Ashes, they would probably be going with the young pack.

"If they are desperate and looking for a win right now, they might go back to a quick fix.

"I don't know the team structure and what the vision is for the team. That is up to them."

Collingwood 'superb'

However, Arthur is expecting Harmison's Durham team-mate Paul Collingwood to be recalled after the all-rounder was dropped for the second Test.

He added: "Collingwood is a superb player and by all accounts Harmison seems to be bowling really well. Whichever way they go, they are bringing in two experienced players.

"I'd be very surprised if Collingwood didn't play. That would surprise me.

"It is just how they fit Harmison into the team. Do they risk going with one less batter with Tim Ambrose at six and Andrew Flintoff at seven and a long tail starting at eight?

"Or do they go with Collingwood at six, Flintoff at seven and Ambrose at eight and a bit less on the bowling front but more of a strong batting line-up? That is their decision."

Proteas captain Graeme Smith sat out Monday's training session at Edgbaston but the tourists insist they have no fresh injury worries and expect the left-handed batsman to take part on Tuesday.

Andre Nel is set to be part of the attack in place of Dale Steyn, who is ruled out with a thumb injury.