Smith comes up with bright idea to fix glaring problem

Steve Smith has a foolproof plan to use black eye strips for relief from the bright Gabba floodlights - he just needs to remember to wear them the right way up.

The star Australian batter has been channelling Shivnarine Chanderpaul since arriving in Brisbane for the day-night Ashes Test, wearing two strips of tape under his eyes.

West Indies legend Chanderpaul became famous for wearing black eye tape during his career to combat glare.

The new look is also reminiscent of the eye black worn by NFL and baseball players in the US, where Smith lives these days.

Smith is sensitive to light, even asking broadcast crews if they could turn their lights a little lower for Wednesday's press conference.

The 36-year-old said the eye strips would help reduce the glare from the Gabba floodlights by 65 per cent from Thursday and help him see the pink ball better.

That is, if he wears them the right way.

"I actually messaged Shivnarine Chanderpaul and asked him what his thoughts were, whether he wore the chalk or the strips (under his eyes)," Smith said.

"He said the strips and it blocks out 65 per cent of the glare. He also said, 'I have seen photos and you are wearing it the wrong way'.

"Yesterday I put them on the right way and I agree with him. I certainly think it stops the glare, and I will be wearing them."

Smith has played 13 day-night Test matches - the equal second-most of any player in world cricket - and has become used to making adjustments for the conditions.

"The (pink) ball reacts differently to a red one. It can change quickly and can start moving randomly," he said.

"When it does shift on you and the ball starts doing something different, you have got to come up with plans to counter that.

"It is about being one step ahead."