Chris Adams knows what it's like to be on the end of a verbal volley from South Africa's fast bowling firebrand Andre Nel.

The pair came face to face - literally - during a one-day match at Hove in 2003.

But the Sussex captain says it "wouldn't be a problem" if he ended up captaining Nel this summer.

Nel is one of the players under consideration to become Sussex's second overseas player and the 27-year-old may have let the cat out of the bag on Monday when he took a Test best 6-81 during the fifth Test against England at Centurion.

Stump microphones picked up an exchange between Nel and Ashley Giles after the England batsman had been peppered by a succession of ineffective bouncers.

Giles said: "You're not so mean now" to which Nel replied: "When we get you at Sussex you won't be so smart."

It was one of a series of verbal jousts between Nel and the England batsmen which led to umpire Steve Bucknor warning the bowler to cool it after the third day's play.

Adams knows exactly what the England players were going through. And like them, he had the last word.

He scored a century off the Northamptonshire attack during a National League game nearly two years ago when Nel was enjoying his first spell in county cricket.

Adams said: "It was quite a tasty wicket and he bowled me three absolute jaffas in a row at the start of my innings.

"He followed through almost to my face and just let go with a torrent of abuse which was pretty unpleasant.

"These things happen in the game but it can be hard to restrain yourself. You can't let it affect your concentration because bowlers always have the upper hand in these situations. As a batsman, if you nick a good one you're gone and the bowler has won."

Adams reached his hundred with a six off Nel and couldn't resist the opportunity to remind the bowler.

"I shoved a bat in his general direction and said you haven't got much to say for yourself now'. It was quite a public show. When you dish it out you've got to take it as well and on that occasion there wasn't much of a response."

Adams was given a warning by umpire Graham Burgess during the tea interval.

All that will be water under the bridge if Nel ends up at Hove this summer and although that prospect is still some way off, Adams admits he fits the bill as Sussex try to replace Surrey-bound Mohammad Akram.

"He's aggressive and in your face, but as he showed this week in the Test he can bowl as well," added Adams.

"I wouldn't have a problem if he came to the club. On the pitch you want players to be as competitive as they can. But I hear that off the field he's a terrific lad."

Director of cricket Peter Moores confirmed yesterday that they had spoken to Nel's agent, but the county are still keen on Pakistan seamer Naved Rana.

Sussex will keep their options open until both South Africa and Pakistan confirm their squads for forthcoming tours to the West Indies.

The South Africans play four Tests and five one-day internationals, finishing on May 15. Three days later Pakistan start a series of two Tests and three ODIs which doesn't end until June 7.

If Sussex go for Rana or Nel, they can expect to be without either player for a month at the start of the season. Finances are another factor and it could be a while yet before any final decision is made.

Moores said: "I think he (Nel) could do quite well at Hove. He didn't have much lateral movement before but he's started to pitch the ball up to get it to swing and bowlers who do well here tend to have that ability.

"Unfortunately the finances dictate that we can't pick whoever we want. There are other things to consider as well and we will have to be convinced that whoever comes will be totally committed to Sussex."