Steve Smith has learned the correct way to wear black strips under his eyes, enhancing his confidence as he prepares for the day-night Ashes Test at the Gabba, which kicks off on Thursday. Traditionally associated with football players competing in bright lighting conditions, these strips reflect Smith’s meticulous approach to handling the challenges posed by the pink ball and the fluctuating light conditions against England’s bowling attack.
Coming off a commanding eight-wicket victory in the first Test in Perth, where England struggled to maintain their aggressive “Bazball” approach, Smith anticipates a similar fight in Brisbane. He emphasized that his team would adopt a more pragmatic style, focused on playing according to the conditions. This shift in mentality is underscored by his new look, which he adopted from ex-West Indies player Shivnarine Chanderpaul after confirming that the strips significantly reduce glare.
Smith revealed that after consulting Chanderpaul, he realized he had been wearing the strips incorrectly. “He said I was wearing them the wrong way, so I put them on the right way yesterday,” Smith stated. “It certainly stops the glare, and yeah, I’ll be wearing them.”
In terms of team changes, Australia will make at least one adjustment, with Usman Khawaja ruled out due to back issues sustained during the first Test. Speculation suggests that Josh Inglis will step in and that Travis Head will continue as an opener following his standout performance in the Perth match. The final lineup will be confirmed after the toss, with Smith remaining tight-lipped about the possible return of skipper Pat Cummins, who missed the first Test with a back injury but has been training and appears to be recovering well.
Historically, the Australians perform well in day-night Test matches at the Gabba, having lost only once there. England’s last win at this venue dates back to 1986, and they have not celebrated a Test victory on Australian soil since the 2010-11 series.
England’s captain, Ben Stokes, plans to stick to their aggressive strategy despite the criticisms faced after their previous match. In contrast, Smith keeps it straightforward: “Adapting to conditions and what’s in front of us — playing the game in real time,” he remarked. Demonstrating a commitment to making tactical decisions based on current conditions, Smith believes this adaptability is crucial to thriving in Test cricket.
As the two teams gear up for a highly anticipated encounter, cricket fans are eager to see how these contrasting strategies will unfold on the pitch.