- Steve Smith has been sidelined for Afghanistan game
- The batter is suffering from vertigo in Mumbai
- The cricketers are battling heavy air pollution in India
A bout of vertigo has sidelined Steve Smith as Australia look to seal their World Cup semi-final berth against Afghanistan in Mumbai.
Cameron Green has also dropped out to make room for fellow allrounders Mitch Marsh and Glenn Maxwell, who return for Australia’s penultimate group stage match overnight Tuesday (AEDT).
Smith reported vertigo symptoms the day before the game and was left out of the XI after struggling in the warm-up.
On a five-game winning streak, Australia lost the toss and will bowl first against the Afghans, who are vying to keep their own semi-final hopes alive.
In form with the bat and useful for his part-time spin, Maxwell has recovered from the concussion he suffered in a bizarre golfing accident ahead of the last-start win over England.
Steve Smith has been sidelined for Australia’s game against Afghanistan
The batter suffered from vertigo in Mumbai, with air pollution also an issue
Opener-turned-No. 3 Marsh is back from personal leave following the death of his grandfather.
A semi-final berth has looked probable for Australia since the mid-point of the tournament.
But the side can officially book a date with South Africa in the knockout phase by winning against Afghanistan or against Bangladesh on Saturday.
Afghanistan, this World Cup’s biggest over-achievers, have brought Naveen-ul-Haq in for fellow quick Fazhalhaq Farooqi as their only change to the side that beat the Netherlands last week.