The Genius Reason Why Steve Smith Is Wearing Black Tape Under His Eyes in Ashes
Steve Smith wore black tape under his eyes when he batted against England and here's why.
Australia headed into the second Test of the Ashes series one-nil up following their convincing eight-wicket victory in the first Test match.
England won the toss and chose to bat in Brisbane, which is being played under the lights given it's a day/night Test.
And Mitchell Starc made the most of the pink ball as he picked up six wickets in an impressive display of swing bowling.
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England, however, posted 334, with Joe Root hitting his first ton down under.
The second day saw Australia bat as they scored 146 runs before Smith walked out to the middle.
And Smith had a notably different appearance as he was wearing black tape under his eyes.
He believes what is known as 'eye black' will reduce the glare caused by the sun when batting under the floodlights.
They can also improve contrast.
Smith practiced with black tape under his eyes ahead of the second Test and reckons they made a positive impact.
The Australia skipper scored 61 before succumbing to the bowling of Brydon Carse, with Will Jacks producing a remarkable one-handed catch.
His impressive knock included four 4s and two 6s.
Eye black, meanwhile, is commonly used in American sports, including American football, baseball and lacrosse.
Baseball great Babe Ruth used it and legendary quarter-back Tom Brady famously wore paint under his eyes during his spell in the NFL.
But Smith isn't the first cricketer to don black tape under his eyes as West Indies icon Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who scored 11,867 Test runs, also wore them during his legendary career.
And the 36-year-old reached out to Chanderpaul ahead of the second Test.
"I actually messaged Shivnarine Chanderpaul and asked him what his thoughts were, whether he wore the chalk or the strips," he revealed.
"He said the strips, and he thinks it blocks out 65 per cent 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."
Smith is expected to wear eye black again if he bats in the second innings, but they are unlikely to be used again in the series with the remainder of the Test matches taking place during the day.
Nasir Jabbar