Ponting ruled out of opening one-dayer

Australia received another blow before their first one-dayer against South Africa as Ricky Ponting, their captain, was ruled out with an abdominal strain on the morning of the clash at Centuron Park. Ponting joined Andrew Symonds and Stuart Clark on the sidelines as Australia, who lost the Twenty20 international, geared up for the opening game.

The spate of injuries meant that Australia had just 11 fit players for the game, set to begin at 10am local time. However the chances of a delayed start were imminent with evening and early morning rain playing spoil sport.

"Ricky suffered an abdominal strain whilst batting in the nets yesterday," Errol Alcott, the Australian physio, said. "MRI scans have revealed a low-grade strain. It is a painful condition which is central to all movement so it affects his batting, bowling and running - pretty much everything. He will undergo intensive treatment and will be reassed late next week."

Expectedly, Ponting was crestfallen at having to miss out but looked at the flip side of the coin as well. "As always it is disappointing to miss a game, particularly a tour opener," he said. "The positive is that it is a good opportunity for some of the guys to move up the batting order and show us what they can do."