Smith eyes victory as Australia prepares for day-night Ashes test at the Gabba

Australia’s Steve Smith walked into the Gabba on the eve of the second Ashes Test with a fresh look, renewed confidence and a clear message: the Australians aren’t getting swept up in England’s Bazball chaos. Instead, they are sticking to what he calls “real-time cricket,” a method built on reading conditions and responding with discipline to a formula that delivered an eight-wicket win in the Perth opener.

Smith has become an unexpected talking point after sporting black anti-glare strips under his eyes during practice, a trick he borrowed from West Indies great Shivnarine Chanderpaul. The idea is to counter the glare when batting under lights against the pink ball. But it almost went wrong before it began. Smith joked that he initially wore the strips upside down until Chanderpaul gently corrected him over a message. Once he fixed them, Smith said the effect was immediate, claiming they block a significant portion of glare and give him better clarity in changing light. Confident in the improvement, he confirmed he will use them during the Test.

Australia enters the match with at least one forced change. Usman Khawaja has been ruled out due to a back issue that hampered him in Perth. This leaves the selectors leaning toward bringing Josh Inglish into the middle order while allowing Travis Head to continue as opener after his strong performance in the first Test. A final decision is being held back until the toss, partly because of continued uncertainty around captain Pat Cummins.

Cummins, who missed the Perth Test with a back injury, is not officially in the squad for Brisbane but surprised many when he joined Smith and coach Andrew McDonald for a pitch inspection. Smith said the fast bowler looked sharp in the nets and was “tracking nicely,” but admitted that match intensity is a different challenge. His return remains possible but unconfirmed, giving the Australian XI an air of suspense heading into the final hours before play.

The Gabba, traditionally one of Australia’s strongest fortresses, adds another layer to the contest. Although the West Indies caused a rare upset last year in a thrilling eight-run win, Australia’s overall day-night Test record remains imposing. England, meanwhile, is up against history: they haven’t won an Ashes Test at Brisbane since 1986 and haven’t claimed a Test victory anywhere in Australia since the 2010-11 series.

Despite heavy criticism of their approach in Perth, England under Ben Stokes is promising no tactical retreat. Stokes maintains that their aggressive blueprint stays intact. Smith, however, made it clear that Australia views the game differently. In a calm but pointed description, he said the team’s strength lies in adapting quickly and playing according to conditions rather than ideology. Test cricket, he emphasized, rewards those who understand what’s in front of them and adjust accordingly.

As the pink-ball Test begins under the Gabba lights, Australia carries momentum, home advantage and strategic clarity. England carries boldness, pressure and the need to prove that their attacking style can stand up in the toughest conditions in world cricket. The stage is set, and Smith, glare strips correctly aligned, has his eyes firmly on the prize.

Weather looks fairly typical for early December in Brisbane: warm, partly cloudy and around 28 °C during the day, with humid nights near 21 °C.

The Gabba wicket is known for pace and bounce early on (especially with the new ball), fast bowlers usually get good carry, bounce, and maybe seam movement, particularly under humid or overcast conditions.

Australia squad

Steve Smith (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wicket-keeper), Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.

England squad

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer.