Steve Smith ruled out of Australia’s clash with Afghanistan

The return of an unusual illness has forced Steve Smith out of Australia’s huge Cricket World Cup clash with Afghanistan.

Australia has suffered a huge blow ahead of its crunch Cricket World Cup clash with Afghanistan in Mumbai.

Superstar Steve Smith, who has battled a return of a previous vertigo issue in recent days, has been ruled out of the match, when Australia can confirm a place in the semi-finals.

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“I’ve had a few episodes, so I can tell you it’s not the funnest space to be in,” Smith said on Monday.

“I’ll go out and have a hit and hopefully be okay. We’ll see how we go.”

But he wasn’t able to get through a pre-match warm-up and has been left out of the side.

The Australians do have some quality back-up, however, with skipper Mitch Marsh (personal reasons) and Glenn Maxwell (concussion) both returning to a side that has won five straight matches.

Steve Smith (left) and Cameron Green have been left out of the Australian side. (Photo by Indranil MUKHERJEE / AFP)

All-rounder Cameron Green has also made way, with Marnus Labuschagne and Marcus Stoinis among the players to retain their places in the side.

Speaking before the toss, which Afghanistan won and chose to bat first, Australian great Mike Hussey said Smith would need to be very unwell to miss out if he was selecting the side.

“I wouldn’t (rest him),” Hussey said on Fox Cricket. “If he’s not feeling right then I’d consider it. But try asking Steve Smith to have a rest, I think he’d want to play.

“But it’s a big game for Australia. There’s no point resting players at a World Cup.

“He’s a good player of spin, Afghan have got a lot of good spinners, so I think he’s going to be very important tonight.

Steve Smith struggled in training over the last few days. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

“But you’d consider it if he’s not right, if he’s not well. But I’d try to get him out there.”

Maxwell has recovered from a spill suffered on a golf cart, while Marsh is back in India after returning home to Perth following the death of his grandfather.

“Steve’s struggled a little bit in warm-ups so he’s going to miss out today,” Cummins said after the toss.

“Cam Green misses out as well, we’ve got Maxwell and Marsh back in.”

The Australian side has two chances to secure a berth in the semi-finals with either a win on Tuesday night or against Bangladesh on Saturday.

If the Aussies beat Afghanistan, they will confirm a final-four clash with South Africa.

Glenn Maxwell is a strong inclusion for the Australian side. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Hussey is wary of Afghanistan, a team that has won three straight matches of its own and is also in contention for the semi-finals.

But he still likes the look of the Aussie line-up.

“It’s a big loss for Australia, Smith obviously not feeling great in warm-up so he’s out of that team,” Hussey said.

“They’ve made that tricky decision of who else is going to miss out a little bit easier.

“It’s still a very strong team, Mitch Marsh back in the team and Maxwell back in after his concussion.

“They’ll be looking to power on and have a good win today and guarantee that place in the semi-finals.”