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"If it doesn't work...": Labuschagne hilariously rates Steve Smith's 'Eye Blacks' look

Soumyajit Dutta

Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne [Source: @ICC/X.com]Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne [Source: @ICC/X.com]

Australia captain Steve Smith trained ahead of the Gabba Test, while wearing black anti-glare strips below his eyes, a method popularised by West Indies great Shivnarine Chanderpaul. 

Commenting hilariously on the anti-glare strips, Australia batter Marnus Labuschagne shared his two cents on the Shivnarines after the net sessions.

Labuschagne explains the function of anti-glare strips

After Steve Smith smashed some balls out of the park in a training session at Gabba, Marnus put on his geek glasses to comment on the 'science' or 'placebo' opinion for the black strips.

"I think there must be some sort of science or theory around it. I haven't read into it, but I think it has something to do with the glare, especially on the wicket, the glare up from the wicket, and maybe it helped pick the ball up better. I look at it either way. If there's a science behind it or its a placebo and it doesn't work and it feels like it works, both ways it works," Labuschagne shared.

Nevertheless, Labuschagne was happy to see Steve sporting the strips and vouched for him to wear them at the Gabba before he sends the balls flying out of the park.

"I would love nothing more to see him stroll out to the wicket with the Shivnarines and go out there and smack them around everywhere," Labuschagne added.

What are the Shivnarines' anti-glare black strips?

These strips, common in American sports, are placed on the cheekbones to cut down glare from stadium lights and improve vision during evening matches.

In day-night cricket, the pink ball poses unique challenges. Smith discussed this during Australia’s previous pink-ball Test against the West Indies too. The eye-black strips help by preventing bright light from reflecting into a player’s eyes. 

Chanderpaul, a frequent user, highlighted their effectiveness in a 2018 interview, “I always used it whenever it was very glary. I stick them on and it does help take 60-70 percent of the glare off my eyes, and that was good for me.”

Nevertheless, with both teams ready for the day-night action at Gabba, it is very likely that Steve Smith will be sporting the Shivnarines as he comes to bat against the visitors in the December 4 clash.