Enigmatic South African batsman Herschelle Gibbs has been called up to the Proteas squad as a replacement for the injured Jacques Kallis.

All-rounder Kallis fractured a rib during October's Champions League in India. He will miss the remainder of the one-day series, but is also a serious doubt for the first Test against the touring England side at SuperSport Park in Centurion on 16 December.

The 36-year-old Gibbs last played for the national team in the Champions Trophy in September but was dropped from the squad for the series against Zimbabwe and England after run of poor scores for both the Proteas and his franchise side, the Cape Cobras.

Incidentally, Kallis was the player promoted up the order to fill the gap left by Gibbs and open the batting with captain Graeme Smith.

Gibbs recently returned to something resembling his best form in the domestic MTN 40-over competition, scoring 163 in four innings.

Earlier, he was given a lifeline by Convener of Selectors Mike Procter when he was selected for the SA 'A' squad that played England in Potchefstroom in a warm-up match last week, where he scored 24.

Kallis's injury has left the selectors with little other option than to recall the experienced but inconsistent opener.

  • Is Herschelle the right man for the job? Does he even deserve another chance? leave your comments below!