ICC World Cup 2023: Another fitness concern for Australia ahead of Afghanistan match

Australia have one more fitness concern in their camp as the five-time world champions prepare to take on Afghanistan in the 39th match of the ICC World Cup 2023 at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India, on Tuesday (November 7).

Australian middle-order batter and one of the most important personalities in the team, Steve Smith, revealed that he had suffered a recurrence of vertigo, a condition where a person feels that he or the environment around him is moving.

Smith has suffered from this condition in the past and despite the recent recurrence, the 34-year-old was hopeful that he would be fit enough to take on the in-form Afghanistan team.

"I've had a bit of vertigo stuff for the last day or so. It's a bit annoying. Hopefully I can get through training and I'm all good. But it's not a nice place to be," Smith told reporters in Mumbai.

"I think I'll be ok. I'm not feeling great at present. I've had a few episodes. I can tell you it's not a fun space to be in. But I'll go out and have a hit hopefully I'm ok."

However, the Aussies can rest Smith as the all-rounders, Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell, have trained in the nets in Mumbai, but there has been no news if the 34-year-old would miss the encounter against Afghanistan or not.

It must be noted that Smith reported similar symptoms as he is facing now as Australia were preparing for a Test tour of Pakistan in 2022 after he hit his head during an outfield action.

It is worth mentioning that despite losing the first two World Cup matches against India and South Africa, Pat Cummins' men made a stunning comeback and won five out of five matches, overcoming Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Netherlands, New Zealand and England.

With five wins in seven matches, the Aussies are ranked third with 10 points in the points table and need just one win from their next two matches — Afghanistan and Bangladesh — to qualify directly for the semi-final of the World Cup.

Comments

Submit