Steve Smith’s new tactic raises questions: will black strips change his game?

Steve Smith’s new tactic raises questions: will black strips change his game?

Steve Smith wearing black strips under his eyes before the second Ashes Test. File Photo

December, 5 2025

LAHORE (Web Desk): Steve Smith’s black eye strips spark curiosity as he used the unusual technique to track the pink ball better in the second Ashes Test.

Australian stand-in captain Steve Smith drew attention on the field after sporting black tape strips under his eyes during the second Ashes Test at the Gabba.

The method, once made famous in cricket by former West Indies star “Shivnarine Chanderpaul”, has returned to the spotlight.

Smith adopted the black strips as a direct response to his long-known difficulty in sighting the pink ball, especially when the floodlights come into play.

Although he is among the world’s most experienced pink-ball Test players, with 13 such matches under his belt, he felt he needed a clearer solution.

Speaking before the match, Smith explained:

“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 to come up with plans to counter that. It is about being one step ahead.”

Smith said the technique has already proven successful in training. He shared that using the strips in the nets improved his ability to pick up the ball, making him confident enough to use them in the match.