Australia wait on Ponting and Symonds

Phil Jaques is currently filling in for Ricky Ponting at the No. 3 position © Getty Images

Australia are still unsure whether they will have the services of Ricky Ponting and Andrew Symonds for the third one-day international against South Africa, at Port Elizabeth, on Sunday. The pair have undergone a vigorous workout in the nets, but a decision on their availability won't be made until the morning as Australia aim for a win to keep themselves in the series.

Ponting is recovering from the stomach muscle injury he sustained before the opening match, while Symonds has been troubled by a hip problem since arriving in South Africa. However, according to Errol Alcott, the Australia physio, both are making encouraging progress.

The absence of the star pair has given Australia a number of problems in the opening two matches, both of which have been lost convincingly. Filling the No. 3 position is proving tough, with Phil Jaques falling for a duck at Cape Town on Friday night.

Meanwhile, Symonds is leaving a hole in both the batting and bowling departments, while the team has missed the buzz he creates in the field. Adam Gilchrist has found filling gap as the fifth and sixth bowler a difficult task, especially with the back-up seamers not providing control.