Melbourne, Feb. 5 : Former Australian leg-spinner Terry Jenner believes that Bryce McGain could be Ricky Ponting's shock weapon against South Africa.

Australia are desperately searching for the X-factor at the top of the order and with the ball following the retirement of Matthew Hayden, injuries to spearheads Stuart Clark and Brett Lee, and the ongoing void left by Warne.

Jenner believes Victorian leg-spinner McGain has the tricks and the temperament to torment the Proteas as Warne did in taking 61 wickets at 24.31 in 12 Tests across the Rainbow Nation.

"He would have been our No. 1 spinner at the start of the summer. He''s three Tests too late but he will be there now," Fox Sports quoted Jenner as saying of McGain, whose 5-104 in 28 overs delivered outright victory against South Australia in Melbourne this week.

"He should be our No. 1 choice as spinner."

McGain took 2-43 from 10 overs in last night''s Ford Ranger Cup victory over South Australia at the MCG.

Quality leg-spin is Australia''s wildcard against the Proteas after experiments with Jason Krejza and Nathan Hauritz.

"Bryce is going to be a big help. He turns the ball away, which they don''t like. Bryce is clearly our best spinner and has a good change-up. He should be in South Africa," Jenner said. (ANI)