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Why Steve Smith is wearing black strips under his eyes
SEN • December 4th, 2025 3:13 pm
Steve Smith is donning a new look during the Brisbane Test, with the No. 4 wearing black tape under his eyes.
The black eye strips were made famous by West Indies batter Shivnarine Chanderpaul throughout his illustrious career, and Smith has taken a leaf out of his book ahead of the Day-night Test at the Gabba.
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 told SEN The New Ball.
“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.”
Smith has played in 13 Test matches throughout his career, the second-most of any player in world cricket.
“The (pink) ball reacts differently to a red one. It can change quickly and can start moving randomly,” Smith said at his press conference ahead of Day 1.
“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.”
