Following a dominant win in Perth, Australia’s Steve Smith is turning to unconventional methods—and advice from a West Indies legend—to gain an edge in the crucial day-night Ashes test at the Gabba. As England doubles down on its ‘Bazball’ approach, injury clouds and selection mysteries set the stage for a high-stakes clash at Australia’s most formidable cricket ground.
As the floodlights prepare to take over at the Gabba for the second Ashes test, Steve Smith is leaving nothing to chance. After orchestrating a crushing eight-wicket victory in the series-opener, the Australian batting maestro is now focused on mastering the unique challenge of the pink ball—with a little help from an old master and a new look.
The sight of Smith practicing with black strips under his eyes, a look more common in American football, immediately sparked conversation. But this is no fashion statement; it’s a calculated move to combat the glare of the lights in the day-night format, and it comes with a fascinating backstory.
The Chanderpaul Connection: Smith’s Unorthodox Edge
Seeking every possible advantage, Smith reached out to former West Indies batting great Shivnarine Chanderpaul, known for using similar anti-glare techniques during his career. The exchange proved immediately fruitful.
“I actually messaged Shivnarine Chanderpaul and asked him what his thoughts were,” Smith revealed. “He said the strips, and he thinks it blocks out 65% of the glare.” There was just one problem. “He also said ‘I’ve seen photos and you’re wearing them the wrong way.’”
After a quick adjustment, Smith is sold. “So yesterday I put them on the right way and … I agree. It certainly stops the glare and yeah, I’ll be wearing them.” This meticulous attention to detail highlights the chasm in philosophy between the two sides heading into a pivotal match.
Clash of Philosophies: Bazball Meets Brisbane Pragmatism
While England captain Ben Stokes has vowed to stick with the hyper-aggressive “Bazball” approach that backfired spectacularly in Perth, Smith defines Australia’s strategy in starkly different terms: “Adapting to conditions and what’s in front of us — playing the game in real time.”
This pragmatic focus on playing to the specific demands of the moment is what Smith believes has given his team a durable edge in Test cricket. While England pursues a rigid, all-out attack blueprint, Australia is preparing to dissect the unique variables of a pink-ball Test at a notoriously difficult venue for visiting teams.
Selection Headaches and Captaincy Questions
Australia’s preparation hasn’t been without disruption. The team has been forced into at least one change after veteran opener Usman Khawaja was ruled out with back problems, an unfortunate development confirmed by reports from AP News. This likely paves the way for Josh Inglish’s return to the middle order, while Travis Head is expected to continue his explosive form at the top of the order.
Adding another layer of intrigue is the status of regular captain Pat Cummins. Sidelined for the first test with a back injury and initially left out of the squad for the second, Cummins was seen inspecting the pitch with Smith and coach Andrew McDonald. Smith remained coy, fueling speculation of a last-minute inclusion. “He looks pretty good to me,” Smith said, careful not to give a definitive answer. “We’ll wait and see.”
Fortress Gabba: England’s Ghosts of Ashes Past
The challenge for England is monumental. The tourists have not won an Ashes Test at the Gabba since 1986 and haven’t secured a Test victory on Australian soil since the 2010-11 series. The Brisbane ground is a bastion of Australian cricket, a venue where they are traditionally almost invincible.
However, there is a glimmer of hope for England. Australia’s near-perfect record in day-night Tests has one blemish: an upset eight-run loss to West Indies at this very ground in January of last year, a result that proves the fortress is not entirely impenetrable [AP]. For Stokes’ men, repeating that feat is the only way to keep their Ashes hopes alive.
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