McKenzie: experience

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• South Africa
• West Indies

South Africa have reacted to their shock 128-run defeat to West Indies by calling up batsman Neil McKenzie for the second Test, which starts at Newlands on Wednesday.

The 32-year-old, who last played for the Proteas three-and-a-half years ago, is expected to replace the out-of-form Herschelle Gibbs at the top of the order.

Having fielded an unchanged line-up for the fifth successive Test in Port Elizabeth, the hosts had also intended to retain the status quo in Cape Town.

However, their poor performance last week playing a side against whom they had won eight of their previous nine home Tests has prompted a re-think, with coach Mickey Arthur saying: "There is no panic but we have decided to strengthen our top order batting."

Strong form

McKenzie's average of 33.24, obtained in 41 Test matches played between 2000 and 2004 might be deemed mediocre, but South Africa's selectors are hoping that the Lions captain might bring experience and leadership to the side.

He has also shown strong form with the bat for South Africa's 'A' side recently, making 182 and 34 against New Zealand before an innings of 54 helped them to victory against the current tourists in West Indies' only first-class warm-up match.

Arthur claimed that McKenzie - who normally bats at number three in the order - has the technique to cope with the responsibility of opening and also said that he will be considered for upcoming tours of India, England and Australia.

Both Arthur and captain Graeme Smith blamed South Africa's defeat on a poor first innings performance. Rain disrupted three intensive net practices that had been planned prior to Wednesday but, with the first Test ending a day early, a session was planned for Monday morning.

Fightback

Meanwhile, West Indies are unlikely to change a line-up that recorded a first-ever Test victory in South Africa, with captain Chris Gayle expecting a strong fightback from the hosts as they look to avoid a series defeat.

"We'll try to cope with it," Gayle said. "Cape Town is always a good wicket so hopefully we can put up an even better performance.

"We know what we're here for so we're not going to be complacent."

Coach John Dyson echoed the words of his captain and added that consistency was key if West Indies were going to take their Test game to the next level.

"We now have to work for consistency in Test cricket and repeat a good performance," he said. "It is the next challenge for the team."

South Africa (from): Graeme Smith (captain), Herschelle Gibbs, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock, Ashwell Prince, Neil McKenzie, Andre Nel, Paul Harris, Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini.

West Indies: TBA