Australian stand-in captain Steve Smith is sporting black tape strips under his eyes during the second Ashes Test against England at the Gabba. This technique, made famous in cricket by former West Indies batter Shivnarine Chanderpaul.
Steve Smith’s black tape in the Gabba Test: Here’s why he’s wearing it
Smith implemented the use of the black eye strips as a direct solution to a well-documented struggle he has had in picking up the pink ball, particularly under floodlights. Despite being one of the most experienced players globally in this format, having played 13 of his 121 Test matches with the pink ball, Smith felt he needed a countermeasure. Ahead of the match, Smith explained his decision in the press conference, stating:
“Playing against the pink ball, I think it might be well documented or not that I quite struggle picking it up with the glare off the lights in particular, and even during the day.”
The black strips work by absorbing light, reducing the glare that bounces off the skin and enters the eye, thus allowing him to track the pink ball more clearly. Smith confirmed the technique’s effectiveness in practice sessions:
“So yeah, I’ve been using them in the nets, and I feel like they’ve made quite a large difference. I feel like I’ve actually been picking the ball up far better than I have previously, so yeah, I’ll be rocking them this game.” The Australian legendary batter added.
Ashes 2025-26, AUS vs ENG: Tactical adjustments for the unique day-night format
Smith’s use of the anti-glare strips underscores the unique and constantly evolving challenges presented by the day-night Test format and the pink ball. While the strips help with visibility, Smith also highlighted the need for constant tactical adjustment against the unusual behavior of the pink ball compared to the traditional red one. The Australian batsman elaborated on the specific difficulties the pink ball presents:
“The (pink) ball reacts differently to a red one. It can change quickly and can start moving randomly. When it does shift on you, and the ball starts doing something different, you have got to come up with plans to counter that. It is about being one step ahead.” Smith concluded.
By bringing back this old technique, Smith is employing both physical and mental strategies to enhance his focus and reaction time. His adoption of the strips, previously popularized by the legendary Shivnarine Chanderpaul, shows a practical approach to overcoming the glare and unpredictable movement that have historically made the pink ball challenging for even the best batters.
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