Steve Smith's vertigo adds to Australia World Cup concerns

Steve Smith (Pic: AFP)

Star batsman Steve Smith revealed Monday that he had suffered a fresh attack of vertigo, a condition that has affected him several times in recent years.

The 34-year-old former Australia captain was hopeful of being fit to face Afghanistan in Tuesday's ICC World Cup 2023 league stage at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium but appeared to suffer further discomfort during net practice on Monday and was seen sitting head bowed, under a canopy, on the outfield.

"I've had a bit of vertigo stuff the last day or so, so it's just been a bit annoying," Smith told reporters shortly before the training session.

"Occasionally, I've had a few episodes, so I can tell you it's not the funniest space to be in, but yeah, I'll go out and have a hit and hopefully be OK and we'll see how we go," he added.

If Smith is given the all-clear, it would mean Australia had all 15 members of their squad available, with Mitchell Marsh having returned to India following the death of his grandfather.

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Smith urged the Australian players to get behind their leader Pat Cummins who has worked hard to pull the team out of a precarious position, having lost two games at the start.

"He has improved as it has sort of gone on. He has got the tempos of the game, he is understanding the pace of the game a lot more and like I said he has not done it a lot, so he is sort of working into it. He has done a terrific job after we were particularly 0-2, to get us in the position where we are now. We are right behind him and hopefully we can play well for him," Smith said.

Smith revealed dealing with the issue of vertigo as he addressed the media but hoped that he would be fine for the game.

"Occasionally, I have had a few episodes, so I can tell you it is not the funnest space to be in, but yeah, I will go out and have a hit and hopefully be okay and we will see how we go," he said.

Australia taking on Afghanistan in a cricket game will have political notes added as well given Cricket Australia cancelling their ODI series earlier this year, but Smith refused to make any comments on the issue.

The Australia batter praised Afghanistan for winning key moments in this World Cup for their impressive campaign. Placed at the sixth position, Afghanistan still have a chance to make it to the semifinals.

"They have won some key moments in games against some good teams and clearly their spinners are a big threat. They are quality bowlers and they have got some batters particularly at the top of the order that are taking the game on and can take it away from you," Smith said.

Australia have won the last four games having batted first and Smith hinted they could stick with the winning formula given how the other teams have performed at the Wankhede.

"Firstly, I'm not sure, I think (at) this ground, we have seen South Africa scored 400-odd I think batting first, it can be a very good chasing ground so we have got to sum a few things up obviously before we make that decision," Smith said.

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With Adam Zampa leading the bowling chart among highest wicket-takers in the World Cup, Smith said the leg-spinner has been at the top of his game.

"He has progressed beautifully throughout this tournament. He bowled beautifully the other night and to be fair England batters probably did not put him under as much pressure as we thought they might have done," Smith said talking about his 3/21 against England in Ahmedabad.

Marsh's fellow all-rounder Glenn Maxwell is in contention again after missing the victory over England last time out in bizarre fashion having suffered concussion as a result of falling off a golf buggy.

Five-time champions Australia still need to win one of their last two group games, against Afghanistan and Bangladesh, to secure a place in the semi-finals.

(With inputs from agencies)