In a bid to gain a crucial edge in the pivotal day-night Ashes Test, Australia's captain Steve Smith has adopted a striking new visual aid: black adhesive strips under his eyes.
The Science Behind the Strips: Combating Glare
The Second Ashes Test at The Gabba in Brisbane is a day-night contest played with a pink ball, presenting unique visibility challenges. Smith is wearing the strips, commonly known as 'eye black' or anti-glare tape, to absorb bright light. The primary goal is to stop intense glare from the stadium floodlights and light reflecting off the pitch surface from bouncing off his cheekbones and into his eyes.
Smith confirmed the tactic's effectiveness, stating, "I certainly think it stops the glare, and I will be wearing them." By improving visual contrast, the tape helps him track the pink ball's movement more easily, especially during the powerful night sessions.
Seeking Advice from a Cricket Legend
Smith's innovative move came after direct counsel from West Indies batting great Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who famously wore similar strips throughout his career. Smith revealed he messaged Chanderpaul for advice on whether to use chalk or adhesive strips.
"He said the strips, and he thinks it blocks out 65% of the glare," Smith recounted. Crucially, Chanderpaul also corrected the Australian skipper's technique, noting, "He also said, 'I've seen photos and you're wearing them the wrong way.'" This highlighted the importance of proper placement to maximise the light-absorbing effect.
A Response to the Pink-Ball Challenge
The adoption of this gear underscores the specific difficulties of the pink-ball format. The ball is coated with a reflective lacquer for visibility under lights, but this can also cause it to scatter light and become hard to pick up, particularly during twilight. Smith has admitted his record with the pink ball is not as strong, prompting this search for a marginal gain.
He commented on the ball's behaviour: “The [pink] ball reacts differently to a red one. It can change quickly and can start moving randomly. When it does shift on you... you have got to come up with plans to counter that.”
Drawing inspiration from American sports like the NFL and baseball, where such tape is commonplace under bright lights, Smith's move is a testament to his meticulous approach. As the Ashes battle intensifies under the Gabba lights, this small black strip represents a big focus on eliminating any disadvantage.
