Melbourne, Mar 3 : Australian leg spinner Bryce McGain is in line to replace his teammate Andrew McDonald for the second Test against South Africa, despite captain Ricky Ponting saying that it will be difficult to change a winning team.

McDonald's medium-pace bowling is tight and effective and took two wickets in the first Test in Johannesburg, and his 67 overs in Test cricket have been bowled at only
1.88 runs per over. But his highest score in three Test innings is 15.

McGain is a more potent attacking weapon with the ball and with Ponting's oft-stated desire to have a specialist spinner in his side more often than not; McGain must be a good chance to make his debut at the Kingsmead ground, The Herald Sun reported.

McDonald's ability to keep one end tight will be missed, leaving McGain himself to feel at times like he must attack and bowl tightly in the same spell.

Four specialist bowlers should have a good chance of taking 20 wickets in Durban, especially with McGain, described by retired great Shane Warne last week as clearly Australia's leading spin bowler. (ANI)