Cricket News Why is Steve Smith missing Australia ODI World Cup match against Afghanistan

Why is Steve Smith absent from Australia's ODI World Cup match against Afghanistan?
Australian batsman Steve Smith has been ruled out of his side's playing XI against Afghanistan in the ICC Men's ODI World Cup after suffering from vertigo. All-rounder Mitchell Marsh has come into the team and will replace the batting mainstay in the lineup. The five-time ODI World Cup champion replaces Cameron Greene in Glenn Maxwell's playing XI.

"We would have had one bat but that's fine. Two changes. Steve has struggled in practice and he's going to miss, Cam Green is also missing, Maxwell and Marsh are there. Really happy with the way we've gone. , five in a row (wins), the most pleasing thing. We have played 14 so far and everyone has done well, long may it continue," Australian captain Pat Cummins revealed at the toss. Read More News

Smith hasn't had his best run in the World Cup so far, scoring 205 runs in seven innings at an average of 29.29 and a strike rate of 86.13. He has scored a half-century and has struggled to get going with the bat so far.

Smith does not have the best record at the Wankhede either, where he scored 22 runs in the two ODIs he played. It remains to be seen whether Australia strikes the perfect batting combination in his absence and can continue to sideline the batsmen from the playing eleven. Read More News