Australian stand-in captain Steve Smith turned some heads during the second Ashes Test at the Gabba as he walked out with black tape strips under his eyes. The look certainly rang a few bells among fans, as former West Indies great Shivnarine Chanderpaul made this technique popular in cricket. But Smith's decision is not for style; rather, it's a planned move to counter the long-standing problem he faces while playing with the pink ball. Smith's Struggle with the Pink Ball and the Purpose of the Tape Smith has spoken publicly about his struggle to pick up the pink ball, particularly under shining lights. For all that he is arguably one of the most experienced Test batters in the world, with over 100 games to his name, the pink ball still remains a bother for him. In the lead-up to the Gabba Test, Smith made a point to explain the reason behind him wearing the tape. He said: “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.” The black strips help by absorbing light instead of reflecting it. This reduces the glare that usually hits the skin and enters the eyes, thus making it easier for Smith to track the ball while batting. He says the tape has already improved his visibility. Smudge added: “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.” Also Read | 3 Teams That Should Target Steve Smith in the IPL 2026 Mini-Auction Adjusting to the Day-Night Test and the Pink Ball Smith added that the challenge is not only about seeing the ball better but also about reading the unusual movement of the pink ball in day-night Tests. This ball behaves differently from the red one and can change quickly. Smith said: “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 got to come up with plans to counter that. It is about being one step ahead.” The use of the tape shows how even top players keep adjusting their game. Revisiting the technique once used by Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Smith is using physical help and mental preparation to deal with the tough conditions in pink-ball cricket. His move also highlights the growing list of tactical adjustments that need to be done in the day-night Tests, where visibility, swing, and the ball behaviour can change in minutes.