If you've been watching the cricket lately, you might have noticed something a little different about Steve Smith. Right there, under the eyes of one of the world's best batsmen, are two small, black adhesive strips. It's a look more common in American football or baseball, but here it is, front and center in a high-stakes Ashes Test match at The Gabba. This isn't just a fashion statement; it's a calculated move to conquer one of his biggest challenges: batting against the notorious pink ball under lights.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Steve Smith adopted 'eye blacks' after advice from West Indies legend Shivnarine Chanderpaul.
- ✓ Chanderpaul advised that the strips block about 65% of glare and pointed out Smith was initially wearing them incorrectly.
- ✓ The stickers were sourced through a bizarre connection involving Nathan Lyon, the Australian Deaf cricket team, and a Brisbane baseball team with ties to the Milwaukee Brewers.
- ✓ Smith’s Test average drops from 58.31 in day matches to just 37.04 in day-night Tests, highlighting his struggle with the pink ball.
- ✓ After putting the strips on in the nets, Smith immediately middled a ball and exclaimed, "I can actually see the ball."
A Little Help from a Legend
So, where did this idea come from? Well, Smith went straight to the source—a player famous for his unique style and unwavering focus at the crease. He reached out to the one and only Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Smith was curious about how the West Indian great dealt with glare and asked whether he used chalk or the adhesive strips we’re seeing now.
Chanderpaul’s advice was direct and incredibly helpful. He confirmed he used the strips and believed they blocked out a massive 65% of the glare. But here’s the best part: he also gave Smith a friendly critique. "He also said, 'I've seen photos and you're wearing them the wrong way'," Smith shared. After adjusting them, Smith was completely sold. "I agree with him. I think it certainly stops the glare. Yeah, I'll be wearing them," he confirmed.
The Pink Ball Problem is Real
You might be wondering why a player of Smith’s caliber needs this kind of assistance. The numbers, frankly, tell the story. Smith has been very open about his struggles with the pink ball, especially with "the glare off the lights." His batting statistics in day-night Tests are a stark contrast to his usual dominance. He averages just 37.04 with one century in pink-ball games, compared to a phenomenal 58.31 with 35 hundreds in traditional day matches.
This isn't just about the twilight period; it’s a constant battle. "It's hard to bat all the time," he explained. "The ball reacts obviously differently to a red one. It can change quickly. It can start moving randomly." For Smith, it’s about trying to stay one step ahead of a ball that can behave erratically, and if these little black strips give him an edge, it's a no-brainer. After using them in the nets, he felt they made a "large difference" and that he was picking up the ball "far better" than before.
From Milwaukee Baseball to the Gabba Pitch
The story of how these specific stickers made their way to Steve Smith is almost as interesting as why he's wearing them. It’s a winding tale that connects Australian cricket to American baseball through a series of fortunate connections. The whole quest began with veteran spinner Nathan Lyon, who serves as the National Inclusion Ambassador for Cricketers with a Disability.
Smith initially considered using black zinc, but worried it would smudge in Brisbane’s humidity. So, Lyon reached out to Sean Walsh, a long-term member of the Australian Deaf cricket team. As it happens, Walsh is also the media marketing manager for the Brisbane Bandits, a team in the Australian Baseball League. The Bandits have a 30-year partnership with the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball.
Walsh contacted the Bandits' executive officer, Shaun O'Brien, a former clubhouse attendant from Milwaukee. Here’s the hilarious twist: O'Brien had absolutely no idea who Steve Smith was. Despite this, he was happy to help, sourcing the eye blacks from a local family-owned baseball store called Leading Edge. It wasn't until O'Brien saw clips of Smith wearing the stickers go viral online that he realized he’d just helped out a global superstar. Walsh recalled with a laugh, "Shaun was taken aback by the millions of views online and told me, 'right so this guy really is a big deal'."
"The Shivnarines" Take Center Stage
When Smith brought the stickers to the nets, it became the talk of the training session. He actually faced a few deliveries without them first, complaining about the glare off the pitch. Then, he walked back in sporting the eye blacks, and his teammates had a field day. There was hooting and cheering as Marnus Labuschagne quickly coined the nickname "the Shivnarines" for the strips, and started calling Smith "Shiv" for the rest of the session.
The joking quickly turned to serious business. The very first ball Smith faced with the "Shivnarines" on, he middled it perfectly. His excited reaction said it all. That was all the convincing he needed to stick with them. He even joked about getting sponsors for his new accessory, just like Chanderpaul did back in the day. It’s a small change, but one that has clearly given him a massive confidence boost heading into a crucial day-night Test.
Pink-Ball Strategy and Overrated Batting Orders
Beyond the eye blacks, Smith also touched on the broader strategies that come with pink-ball cricket. He acknowledged that the game is "completely different," and that flexibility is key. He referenced the team being open to unusual tactics in the past, like using two nightwatchmen to protect key batters during tricky periods under lights. "I think [with the] pink ball, anything's possible," he noted.
However, he didn’t quite agree with teammates Pat Cummins and Travis Head, who suggested that batting orders are "overrated." Having opened the batting in four Tests in 2024 at his own request, Smith values consistency. "I think it's nice to be in a similar role and get used to that role over and over again," he stated, pushing back on the idea of constantly shuffling the order between innings. For him, adapting within a game is one thing, but having a stable role is still important for a batsman's rhythm and preparation.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, Steve Smith's 'eye blacks' are more than just a quirky visual. They represent a top athlete's relentless search for an edge, especially in a format that has clearly been a thorn in his side. The journey of these simple stickers—from a conversation with a cricket icon to a convoluted path through the world of baseball—adds a fascinating and very human layer to the intense pressure of an Ashes series. It’s a perfect reminder that even the best in the world are always looking for ways to adapt, improve, and, quite literally, see the ball better.
