Symonds could boost Aussies before South Africa match

MELBOURNE: Injured all-rounder Andrew Symonds, a key player for Australia's World Cup campaign, is hopeful of returning to the side before the pool match against South Africa.

Symonds is believed to be well ahead of his scheduled rehabilitation programme and could be available before the March 24 match against the Proteas.

"I reckon hopefully I will take part in that match. If not South Africa, then a bit before that. But we just have to wait and see how it progresses," Symonds said.

The March 24 match was initially considered an optimistic return date for Symonds after he ruptured his biceps tendon in a one-day match against England last month.

But an assessment by a Brisbane specialist last Friday has given Symonds hope that he could ease his way back into the side for the preceding match against the Netherlands, on March 18, the newspaper report said.

"I have been trying to get a bit of strength and bulk back into the muscle and I am ahead of schedule," Symonds said.