"A meeting of Cricket Australia board officials in Melbourne is expected to hear a recommendation from senior staff that Symonds be effectively barred from representing Australia in next month's South African tour," the 'Daily Telegraph' reported.

"Top cricket officials have concerns about Symonds' psychological state and want to keep him on a rehabilitation program rather than expose him to the pitfalls of a hostile South African tour," the report added.

The embattled all-rounder was last week fined 4,000 Australian dollars for an alcohol-fuelled radio diatribe against New Zealand player Brendon McCullum.

Symonds was apparently unhappy with New South Wales for signing McCullum for a domestic Twenty20 tourney and went on to call the Kiwi wicketkeeper-batsman a "lump of s***" during the radio interview.

"The Symonds issue, now an official item on the agenda of the meeting, will be debated among the 14-member board chaired by Adelaide lawyer Jack Clarke," the newspaper said.

The daily said many CA officials feel Symonds should have been dealt with more strictly when he first committed an indiscipline.

"There will be talk about standing him down from international cricket," one board member said. Meanwhile, former Australian captain Steve Waugh said taking Symonds to South Africa would be nothing short of a gamble.

"He's obviously grappling with a few issues. He certainly hasn't played his best cricket since he came back. All of Australia wants him to do well, particularly Ricky (Ponting), who loves having him in the side because he gives that bit extra, something special that can win a match," Waugh said.

"If he was selected for South Africa I think it would be a gamble. Whether it's a gamble worth the selectors taking, and Ricky, that's up to them," he added.