Melbourne, Mar 26 : Australian leg spinner Bryce McGain, despite suffering harsh treatment at the hands of South African batsman in his debut Test, is hopeful about his Ashes selection chances.

The Proteas treated the leg spinner with contempt in the third and final Test of the series a few days ago, belting him for 0-149 off only 18 overs.

McGain, always an upbeat character, said he was confident about his bowling when he fronted the media on Wednesday evening upon his return to Melbourne.

Cape To

Cape Town (South Africa), Mar. 21: Fans at Cape Town''s Newlands ground have given Bryce McGain a new nickname and it''s not a welcome one - Mick Lewis.

McGain''s fellow Victorian infamously took 0-113 in the one-day international in Johannesburg three years ago when South Africa scored 9-438 to win.

Lewis holds the world record for most runs conceded in a one-day innings and McGain''s Test debut was shaping up like a similar shocker after Friday''s second day of the third Test against South Africa.

Cape Town (South Africa), Mar. 19 : Thirty-six-year-old Victorian leg spinner Bryce McGain achieved a cherished dream on Thursday, when he was told that he would be making his Test debut for Australia in the third and final Test against South Africa.

The match starts from today.

McGain replaced off-spinning all rounder Marcus North, who was sent to hospital on Wednesday night and was still there when the third Test was about to start.

Cape Town (South Africa), Mar.16 : Victorian leg spinner Bryce McGain could make his Test match debut in South Africa in Cape Town on Thursday.

The Newlands pitch is traditionally flat and turns, the series is in the bag and there is talk the side needs to see how McGain bowls before the Ashes.

However, McGain, who turns 37 next week, is not confident about finding a place in the side.

"I think with a winning team at the moment and clinching a series win (it is not likely)" McGain said.

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.