The day-night encounter will be played under floodlights, with players using a pink ball.
This technique, previously employed by former West Indies batter Shivnarine Chanderpaul, helps reduce sunlight glare and enhances contrast.
Photos captured Australia’s stand-in captain wearing the patches during a nets session, ahead of his expected stint under the lights at the Gabba.
Known as “eye black,” this method is widely used in American sports such as football, baseball, and lacrosse. Legends like baseball great Babe Ruth in the 1930s and seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady have also famously applied it.
Australia teammate Marnus Labuschagne commented on Smith’s patches, saying, “There must be some kind of science or theory behind it. I haven’t looked into it deeply, but I think it’s meant to reduce glare, especially from the pitch, which might make the ball easier to pick up.
“Whether it’s scientifically proven or just a placebo, if it gives confidence, it works either way. I’d love to see him walk out there like Shivnarine did and dominate the bowling.”
