Vaughan wants his team to be hungry like South Africa

Kallis' return will boost the visitors' allround strength

London: England captain Michael Vaughan wants his team to match South Africa’s hunger in the third Test at Trent Bridge starting on Thursday.

The hosts slumped to an innings-and-92-run defeat last week in Vaughan’s first Test in charge, prompting the new skipper to give a blunt assessment of his side.

“All in all, it was a pretty poor performance,” he said. “I don’t think we were as hungry as them. I can’t answer why, it’s something that needs to be addressed. I know you have to rock the boat a few times and upset a few players.”

Another defeat would leave the hosts 0-2 down in the series with two games to play, but at least Vaughan, handed the captaincy at short notice after Nasser Hussain’s resignation following the drawn first Test, has now had time to plan his strategy.

One of his first tasks will be to work out a way of dismissing rival captain Graeme Smith, who has plundered 621 runs in three innings including two double centuries.

The England attack has been unable to contain the tall left-hander, who combines a solid defence with a range of clinical strokes, predominantly through the leg side.

James Kirtley is likely to be handed his Test debut in place of the retired Darren Gough.

He will be joining forces with James Anderson and Steve Harmison in an inexperienced pace attack boasting a total of 13 Test caps. Off-spinner Gareth Batty has been added to the squad as an alternative to Ashley Giles, who has taken a mere five wickets in the entire series with his unthreatening brand of slow left-armers.

England’s batsmen have also struggled, with Vaughan’s 156 at Edgbaston and Andrew Flintoff’s defiant 142 in a losing cause at Lord’s the only two innings of substance.

A succession of rash strokes resulted in a paltry total of 173 on the first day at Lord’s and the selectors have called up in-form Kent batsman Ed Smith, who has made six centuries this season, in place of Anthony McGrath.

South Africa, brimming with confidence after their recent performances, will be further boosted by the return of premier allrounder Jacques Kallis, who missed the first two Tests following the death of his father.

With Gary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs and Boeta Dippenaar also among runs and opening bowlers Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini, in particular, in a rich vein of form, Smith should be more than confident of continuing his good start as South Africa captain.

Gibbs for Durham

South African batsman Herschelle Gibbs will play county cricket for Durham next season, the club announced on Tuesday.

“We are delighted with the signing of such an experienced player and I am confident he will make a major impact on the field as well helping some of the younger players develop,” said Durham chief executive David Harker.