The sight of Steve Smith stepping onto the field for the second Ashes Test was… unusual. Black tape stretched under his eyes, giving him the appearance of a warrior preparing for battle, not a cricketer facing a bowling attack. The question on everyone’s mind: what prompted this striking change?
Smith had recently led Australia to a dominant victory in Perth, securing a 1-0 lead in the series. While Travis Head stole the headlines with a blistering century – the third-fastest by an Australian in Test history – Smith knew he needed to elevate his own game. He was searching for any edge possible.
The answer, surprisingly, came from a legend of a different era: West Indies’ Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Smith reached out to the famously unorthodox batsman, known for sporting the same black tape during his career. He wanted to understand the reasoning behind the distinctive look.
Chanderpaul’s advice was direct. He believed the strips blocked out a significant amount of glare – around 65 percent, he claimed – and crucially, pointed out Smith was applying the tape incorrectly. Smith adjusted, acknowledging the potential benefit of reducing distractions and improving his focus on the rapidly approaching ball.
The science behind this practice is rooted in how our eyes perceive light. Skin naturally reflects light, which can create glare and impair vision. The theory is that black strips absorb this light, making it easier to track a moving object, like a cricket ball, against the backdrop of the stadium.
But does it actually work? The history of “eye black” stretches back decades, with baseball icon Babe Ruth among the first to adopt it in the 1930s. Yet, rigorous scientific study has been surprisingly limited.
Some research suggests eye black can enhance contrast sensitivity, aiding in the ability to distinguish between light and dark. However, other studies have yielded conflicting results, with one even suggesting the effect is negligible compared to using light-colored makeup. The debate continues.
Smith isn’t alone in seeking this visual advantage. American football star Tom Brady was a well-known proponent, convinced the tape absorbed light and improved his performance. Baseball players, too, have long embraced the practice, hoping for even a slight edge at the plate.
For Smith, the challenge in the day-night Test format is particularly acute. He averages significantly lower in these matches compared to traditional day games, acknowledging the unpredictable movement of the pink ball under artificial light. He’s willing to try anything to unlock his full potential in these tricky conditions.
The black tape isn’t a magic solution, but it represents Smith’s relentless pursuit of improvement, a willingness to explore every avenue – even those considered unconventional – to gain a competitive advantage on the world’s biggest stage.
