Why is Steve Smith wearing black tape under his eyes for second Ashes Test?

Steve Smith has left no stone unturned in his quest to end a nine-year drought.

The Australian star last scored a century in a day-night Test in December 2016, when he chalked up 130 against Pakistan in Brisbane.

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However, since the start of 2017, Smith has averaged just 28.50 in pink ball contests, a drastic reduction from his average of 56.53 in red ball Tests in the same period.

In a bid to end his lengthy wait for a triple figure knock in a pink ball match, Smith will don ‘eye blacks’.

What are ‘eye blacks’?

‘Eye blacks’ are small black adhesive strips that are placed underneath an individual’s eye.

The purpose of the strips are to absorb light that would reflect off the skin.

They are a common sight in several American sports, including the NFL.

Is Steve Smith the first cricketer to wear the anti-glare strips?

Although Smith’s eye-strips will be a striking sight, he is not the first cricketer to don them during a match.

West Indies great Shivnarine Chanderpaul was one who previously sported the anti-glare strips in a game.

And the 51-year-old had to tell Smith he was wearing them the wrong way during training sessions ahead of the second Ashes Test, which will be a day-night contest at the Gabba in Brisbane.

“I actually messaged Chanderpaul and asked him what his thoughts were, whether he wore the chalk or the strips,” Smith said.

“He said the strips, and he thinks it blocks out 65 per cent of the glare.”

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Smith added: “He (Chanderpaul) also said, ‘I’ve seen photos and you’re wearing them the wrong way.’ So yesterday, I put them on the right way.

“I agree with him. I think it certainly stops the glare. Yeah, I’ll be wearing them.”

Time will tell whether the anti-glare strips lead to an improved performance out in the middle for Smith.

But having had enough experience in pink-ball contests, Smith knows what will be required to pile up a respectable score against England as Australia chases a 2-0 series lead.

When asked how he plans to wrangle the pink ball, Smith replied: “It’s a tricky one.

“The ball reacts differently to a red one. It can change quite quickly. It can start moving randomly.

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“You’ve got to try and play what’s in front of you at that time, and when it does shift on you and the ball starts doing something different, you’ve got to try and come up with plans to counter, whether it be more aggressive, whether it be going to your shell and try and get through that period.”

The second Ashes Test gets underway on Thursday at 4am BST.