Gabba Test: Smith’s Pink Ball Strategy Includes Eye Black Trials

Ahead of the critical day-night Ashes Test at the Gabba, Australian cricketer Steve Smith has introduced a new element to his preparation: anti-glare eye strips. Worn during a Brisbane training session, this experiment is a direct response to Smith’s well-documented difficulties in facing the pink ball, particularly under lights. With Australia aiming to extend their 1-0 series advantage, Smith’s adaptation is a key talking point. He has consistently found the pink ball harder to read than its red counterpart, leading to a significantly lower average in day-night fixtures compared to his stellar career numbers. Smith himself has pointed to visibility issues as the main culprit, especially when tracking the ball during twilight or under stadium lighting. His decision to try eye black, a tactic famously used by Shivnarine Chanderpaul, signals a determined effort to improve his performance in this challenging format. The effectiveness of this unconventional strategy in the high-pressure environment of an Ashes Test remains to be seen, but it adds a compelling narrative to the ongoing series.