SMITH TRICKS CAUGHT ON TAPE

FROM RORY DOLLARD AUSTRALIA'S Marnus Labuschagne has backed Steve Smith's adoption of black eye tape ahead of the day/night Ashes Test in Brisbane - regardless of whether it really helps.

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Smith applied the dark strips on either side of his face when he netted at the Gabba on Sunday, hoping to counteract the effects of the floodlights.

West Indies great Shivnarine Chanderpaul was an eager exponent of the practice, which has not caught on in cricket but has established a healthy following in the NFL.