NSW opener Phil Jaques has ended his brief stint with the Australian one-day squad and has been sent home after Ricky Ponting's successful return from injury.

Jaques arrived in Cape Town last Wednesday after he was called up to the squad as cover for the skipper who strained a stomach muscle batting in the nets on February 25.

Jaques, who made 94 on debut in January in a one-game stint replacing the injured Simon Katich, was given a chance at No.3 on the second one-dayer in Cape Town on Friday and made a duck in Australia's total of 93, its fourth-lowest score ever.

Down 2-0 in the five-game series following Friday's 196-run loss, Australia sweated on the fitness of Ponting who trained strongly on Saturday and was cleared to play, top-scoring with 62 in his side's 24-run win on Sunday in Port Elizabeth.

"I was extra keen (to play)," Ponting said of his return to the side.

"But there's a bigger picture to look at. The worst thing that could have happened to me was to come back early and be out for the first or second Tests.

"I always had that in the back of my mind. Well done to (team physio Errol Alcott) for getting me back this quick.

"He feared at the start that it would have been a lot longer than it has been. A good result all-round."

Ponting also said he expected all-rounder Andrew Symonds to overcome a hip muscle strain for Friday's fourth match after the Queenslander missed the opening three games.

The Australians have arrived in Durban to prepare for Friday's fourth game and will have a day off on Tuesday with some heading to the beach or playing golf, with the super-talented Ponting tipped to be in the latter group.

The squad for the three-Test series which starts on March 16 in Cape Town is expected to be announced at noon Tuesday AEDT.

Left-hander Jaques is now expected to be available for the Blues to face South Australia in Adelaide in a Pura Cup match starting on Friday.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP