Symonds had arthroscopic surgery on Wednesday after battling right knee pain in the first two Test losses against the Proteas and being ruled out of the third Test at the SCG starting on Saturday.

Cricket Australia (CA) today said Symonds developed the pain on his knee during the first Test at the WACA. He will miss the Twenty20 internationals against South Africa on January 11 and 13 but CA is hoping he'll be fit to return at some stage during the five one-day internationals against the Proteas starting January 16 or at least before the subsequent ODI series against New Zealand.

"Although there were some minor signs of wearing, the main problem was loose fragments of cartilage that were jamming in the joint, which were removed," CA doctor Trefor James said.