Adam Gilchrist: "I wouldn't think [Ponting will] miss the whole tournament" © Getty Images Enlarge

Australia are hopeful that Ricky Ponting will fly to South Africa by Sunday, ahead of Australia's opening ICC World Twenty20 match against Zimbabwe on Wednesday. However, even if he meets that time-frame - and that is no certainty - he will miss both Australia's warm-up games against South Africa and New Zealand on Sunday.

Adam Gilchrist, the acting captain in Ponting's absence, was unsure when Ponting would arrive but was confident he would play some part in the two-week event. "We're just waiting to see with Ricky," Gilchrist told the Australian after the squad arrived in South Africa.

"We're not 100% sure when [he'll fly out]. We'll be in touch with him day by day and he'll let us know what's going on then. I wouldn't think that he's going to miss the whole tournament. I'm pretty sure he'll be here at some stage."

Ponting did not leave Australia with the rest of the squad on Monday due to "private family reasons". Gilchrist said Stuart Clark, who also remained at home to care for his ill son, was expected to join the group "in the next day or so". Uncertainty remained over Shane Watson's part in the tournament after he stayed in Brisbane to have a minor hamstring problem monitored.