Steve Smith reveals why he has been wearing black tape under his eyes

Steve Smith, Australia's batting talisman and stand-in captain, was spotted batting on Sunday with black stripes under his eyes as his team started getting ready for the day-night pink-ball second Ashes Test against England at Brisbane, which is scheduled to begin on December 4. Since the day-night Test was first introduced, players have developed innovative strategies to overcome the challenges presented by the game's distinctive pink ball format.

Before the Day-night Test at the Gabba, Smith has taken a cue from West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who made the black eye strips renowned throughout his illustrious career to boost contrast and lessen light glare. Smith, who says he’s struggled with picking up the pink ball previously, will utilise the black strips to reduce glare while batting.

“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,” Smith revealed.

“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.”

"I actually messaged Shivnarine Chanderpaul and asked him what his thoughts were, whether he wore the chalk or the strips," said Smith.  "He said the strips, and he thinks it blocks out 65% of the glare. And he also said, 'I've seen photos, and you're wearing them the wrong way'. So yesterday I put them on the right way," he added.

A thin, flexible adhesive patch placed on the top of the cheek beneath the eyes is called eye black. They are intended to reduce the amount of stray light that enters a player's eyes from the sides and below. This area is particularly vulnerable to glare because of the natural reflection of skin and the curvature of the face.

In order to maintain colour and visibility in low light, the pink ball is covered with a more reflective lacquer; nevertheless, this shine also makes it susceptible to absorbing and dispersing light in ways that could momentarily obscure a batter's perspective.

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