Cricket: Symonds out of Sth African tour opener

Star Australian cricket all-rounder Andrew Symonds has been ruled out with injury ahead of tomorrow morning's Twenty20 match against South Africa in Johannesburg.

Symonds injured his hip during training at the Wanderers ground on Wednesday.

Team officials say Symonds will receive treatment over the next few days to determine if he will be fit to play in Sunday night's first one-day international against the Proteas.

The Australians are braced for a hostile reception from the crowd.

The South Africans were subjected to racial abuse by members of the Australian crowd during their tour here and Proteas wicket-keeper Mark Boucher has urged South African crowds to give the Australians some "stick" in return.

Former Australian captain Steve Waugh has told the Australians to ignore any jibes aimed at them by the crowd.

He says coping with the opposition's crowd is part of playing professional sport.

The match will mark the return to international cricket of another Australian all-rounder in Shane Watson.

He has been out of the Australian side after dislocating his shoulder while on Test duty with the Australians and says it is just good to be playing cricket again.

- RADIO AUSTRALIA