Last Updated on 11 months by Charbel Coorey

Star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell is expected to return for Australia’s showdown with high-flying Afghanistan at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 7.

Maxwell missed Australia’s crucial 33-run win over arch-rivals England on Saturday after suffering a concussion in a golf cart incident last Monday (30 October). The Afghanistan game comes eight days after the all-rounder suffered the injury, which is said to pass the necessary protocol for a return.

“I think they (Maxwell and Marsh) are straight back in. We’re so excited to get Mitch back and then Maxi, I think it’s an eight-day protocol (that ends) on the day (of the Afghanistan match) so I think he’s all good to go,” said fellow all-rounder Cameron Green following Australia’s fifth-straight win in the World Cup.

Glenn Maxwell likely to play against Afghanistan, Mitchell Marsh also available, Steve Smith suffering from vertigo

According to cricket.com.au, Maxwell batted for nearly an hour in the nets and engaged in running drills on Friday night. The training formed part of an important process implemented to ensure the all-rounder was managed properly following the injury.

Last Thursday (November 2), Cricbuzz correspondent Bharat Sundaresan said that Maxwell was jogging with the team. “Glenn Maxwell having a bit of a jog around with the rest of the team under the close supervision of the physio is a promising sign as he recovers from the concussion suffered on Monday,” he tweeted.

Mitchell Marsh, who also missed the England game, is available for the Afghanistan clash after joining up with squad on Sunday evening. He travelled back to Australia following the passing of his grandfather, Ross.

As a result, Australia could have their full squad to choose from for the first time in this tournament. But, reports came through on Monday afternoon that Steve Smith has been suffering from vertigo, which could put him in doubt for the Afghanistan clash.

If Smith is out and Australia select both Marsh and Maxwell, one of Marnus Labuschagne or Cameron Green will likely miss out. Labuschagne is fresh off an important 71 against England, which lifted him to Australia’s second-highest run-scorer in this tournament.

Pat Cummins’ team will have to be on their game against an Afghanistan side that has won its past three matches. Hashmatullah Shahidi’s team is playing with great confidence, and will back themselves to test Australia with their spinners. If they win, they will move level with Australia on points.

Australia’s possible XI vs Afghanistan (if Steve Smith does not play): 1. Travis Head, 2. David Warner, 3. Mitchell Marsh, 4. Marnus Labuschagne, 5. Josh Inglis (wk), 6. Glenn Maxwell, 7. Marcus Stoinis, 8. Pat Cummins (c), 9. Mitchell Starc, 10. Adam Zampa, 11. Josh Hazlewood