A ruptured bicep tendon will sideline allrounder Andrew Symonds for the rest of the tri-series and deny Australia one of their main muscles in the limited overs game.

Symonds, who injured his right bicep while batting in last night's shock loss to England at the SCG and later retired hurt, was diagnosed with a ruptured tendon in his shoulder that requires surgery.

Symonds could undergo surgery as early as Sunday, while his teammates take on New Zealand in the day-night clash at the MCG.

The hard-hitting Queenslander, who has been one of Australia's best one-day performers in recent years, will also miss the best-of-three finals series against either the Black Caps or England.

The severity of the injury - to Symonds' bowling and throwing arm - means he is also in doubt to play the Kiwis in the best-of-three Chappell-Hadlee series, which starts mid-February and is Australia's last hit-out before the World Cup.

Captain Ricky Ponting will return to the side after missing the loss to England because of a hip injury, while Brad Hodge will retain his place and play before his home MCG crowd.

In a major blow for Australia's one-day game plan for the rest of the series, Symonds is effectively out indefinitely as he will require intensive physiotherapy post-surgery, and Australian officials are unsure how long the tendon will take to heal.

"We won't know how bad this injury is until after surgery," Symonds said.

"I felt it go during the game but I didn't realise how bad it was.

"I batted on but the pain was considerable and I was advised by the team physio Alex Kountouris to come off.

"I feel optimistic about the future because I know I'm a good healer - my wrist injury healed quicker than expected and is fine now.

"I'll do whatever it takes to get back as quickly as possible."

Symonds' teammate Nathan Bracken admitted the 31-year-old veteran of 161 matches would be a significant loss and that Australia would have to adapt without the match-winner.

"Missing Andrew Symonds out of any team is a big loss, especially how he plays the game ... we've got to adapt," Bracken said.

Symonds' absence will likely give New Zealand further confidence given the Black Caps are continually improving this tour and last time got within eight runs of beating their arch foe, thanks mainly to Jacob Oram's magnificent century in Perth.

New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming said the Black Caps had to follow England's lead and put some doubt into the Australian game, although the Kiwis have won just two of their past 20 clashes against Australia.

"We've got to start beating them," he said.

"While we're close it's OK to walk away saying `Gee, we're not far away'. But far away could be eight runs, it could be 58 runs. We've got to get across the line." Australia continues with their fast bowling rotation, as Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson come into the side for Glenn McGrath and Bracken. Shaun Tait keeps his spot in what could be his last opportunity to press for a World Cup berth.

New Zealand must wait until Sunday before announcing the make-up of their bowling attack, as strike bowler Shane Bond will be rested in one of the remaining two pool games to give his troublesome back further time to settle.

Bond played in New Zealand's win over England last Tuesday, but could be replaced by Kyle Mills, who sat out the last match because of the effects the Perth heat had on him a week ago.

Batting allrounder Scott Styris should also come into the side after overcoming back problems, which could force Craig McMillan out.

Australia: Ricky Ponting (capt), Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hodge, Michael Clarke, Mike Hussey, Cameron White, Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Stuart Clark, Shaun Tait, Glenn McGrath (12th man).

New Zealand (from): Stephen Fleming (capt), Lou Vincent, Peter Fulton, Ross Taylor, Hamish Marshall, Craig McMIllan, Scott Styris, Jacob Oram, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, James Franklin, Mark Gillespie, Shane Bond, Kyle Mills, Jeetan Patel.

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