Smith in his new look (Source: @bbctms/x.com)
After the Ashes kicked off with all the classic drama, Australian fans got an extra thrill, as Steve Smith is back as skipper. The Aussies registered a massive win in home conditions, and Smith is set to lead the side even in the second Test.
The second Test will be special as the arch-rivals are set to face off in the pink-ball format, pushing the excitement to the sky. Ahead of the showdown, Steve Smith channels his inner Shivnarine Chanderpaul with the iconic black tape look.
Smith brings Chanderpaul vibes to Australia’s lineup
The historic Ashes never fails to amaze cricket fans, and the drama soared a little higher when the Test came in the pink-ball format. After the Ashes 2025 started in a great way for Australia, they are moving towards the next Test with a strong record under their name. At home, their dominance in pink-ball matches gives them a major edge over the visitors.
As they are sweating hard in the nets ahead of the upcoming match, captain Steve Smith was seen in a whole different look. Borrowing the iconic “eye black” style from West Indies legend Shivnarine Chanderpaul, the Aussie skipper brought some Caribbean flair to the Ashes.
Being spotted with the eye blacks, Smith stunned the fans as they were enjoying the Aussie skipper’s new look. It is a small, black, adhesive strip that a player wears on the cheekbone to reduce the glare of the floodlights. He trialed it in Australia’s floodlight session to deal with the pink ball challenges, and his new look grabbed the attention.
Pink-ball challenge brings extra thrill to the Ashes
From the first-ever Ashes match to the most recent one, the thrills of the historic Test series are still the same. With every season, the excitement grows up and the ongoing edition is no different. Crushing the English lineup with both bat and ball, Australia secured a dominating victory on home soil.
As the iconic Gabba is all set to host the match, adding more spice to it, it is going to be a pink-ball affair. While Australia is holding a favor in this format, England’s record in the pink-ball setup is scary. Even Steve Smith’s own stats in pink-ball Tests raise eyebrows, but fans are bracing for another edge-of-the-seat contest.
