Steve Smith is turning heads with his new look, reminiscent of an NFL player, as he showcased it during a training session on Sunday.

The interim Australian captain sported two strips of black tape under his eyes, a sight observed during an evening net practice at The Gabba.

With the 36-year-old poised to lead Australia in the second Ashes Test in Brisbane this Thursday, he steps in for Pat Cummins, who is sidelined from the day-night match while recuperating from a back injury.

Applying black paint under the eyes is a familiar strategy among NFL athletes, aimed at minimizing glare from stadium lights.

This tactic isn’t exclusive to the gridiron; West Indies cricketer Shivnarine Chanderpaul was also known for using black tape under his eyes as he took his position at the crease.

Steve Smith (pictured) was seen wearing black tape under his eyes during a nets session at The Gabba on Sunday

The 36-year-old is set to captain Australia in the second Ashes Test in Brisbane on Thursday, with Pat Cummins set to miss the day-night as he continues to recover from a back injury

Smith, who lives in New York City, appears to have copied many NFL players, who paint black lines under their eyes in a bid to reduce the glare from the floodlights

The skipper’s move indicates that it can sometimes be difficult to see the pink ball while playing in the evening.

And ahead of Australia’s day-night Test against India here last year, Smith had admitted that it can be ‘a challenge’ coping with the changes in light. 

‘I find with the pink ball that batting at night is probably easier to see the ball in the day I find it more difficult to see,’ he said.

It comes as England batsman Joe Root has questioned the value of a day-night Test.

England suffered a disappointing eight-wicket defeat by Australia in the first match in Perth. England’s batters collapsed on day two, with Root being dismissed by Mitchell Starc for eight runs.

England have won twice in seven attempts in day-night Tests, and in Brisbane, last claimed victory back in 1986.

‘I don’t think you need it in an Ashes series, absolutely not,’ Root said, speaking about the day-night Test.

‘I don’t think it’s as good as traditional Test cricket but it’s in the schedule. We’ve got to play it, and just got to make sure we’re better than them at it.

It comes as England batsman Joe Root (pictured) has questioned the value of a day-night Test

‘It’s clearly something that works here for Australia and they enjoy it. So I think we have just got to make the most of the opportunity to play it and put your best foot forward if you get your chance.’

Perhaps the trickiest element to contend with for a batsman during the day-night Test is when the sun begins to set and the floodlights come on, making it sometimes difficult to keep an eye on the pink ball.

‘It’s just being aware of how quickly the conditions and the situations can change, and being the first to respond to that,’ the Yorkshireman added.

‘There might be times it seems really good for batting and you want to maximise that and almost feel like you can get ahead of the game. With the ball, you want to exploit those moments when you feel like there’s movement in there. I think there’ll be a tactical element to it…something to be aware of and to try and factor in and use to your advantage if you can.’

Travis Head, though believes differently.

‘Pink ball, white ball, red ball – who really cares? Does it need it, does it not? It’s a great spectacle and we’re going to have huge crowds again,’ he said.

‘If you win, you think it’s great. If you lose, maybe not. Both teams may have differing opinions by the end of it. I think it’s great for the game.’

Smith and Australia’s selectors face a difficult conundrum of whether Head should open the batting for Australia in the second Test after his sublime knock in Perth, hitting a century off just 69 deliveries.

Travis Head (pictured), meanwhile, stated that the day-night Test was ‘great for the game’

It also comes after Usman Khawaja, who struggled with back stiffness in the first Test, has been called to step down from the squad.

Head, though, has insisted that he can play anywhere in Australia’s top order.

Australia have maintained a very flexible approach to their batting order, with Cummins and coach Andrew McDonald agreeing that the line-up can be amended depending on their opposition, conditions and who is available.

‘The traditionalists would say, ‘This is how it has got to be’. But that is where the game is going to, with when to use what.

‘You could use this order and these players in a range of different ways to win games of cricket.

‘I’m a player I feel like can play any role. I am open to it and it’s just trying to work out in the game and in moments when that may come out.

‘I feel all options are on the table and have been for a long period of time about where this team can potentially get better.’