The Ashes: Steve Smith’s superstitions firing Aussies to glory include strapping down shoelaces and batting in front of mirror

STEVE SMITH added an arm guard and a neck guard to his ever-growing list of superstitions – after he used both in arguably his greatest ever innings.

The former Australia captain, 30, scored a sensational, eccentric 211 at Old Trafford on day two of the Fourth Ashes Test.

The knock put Australia in the driving seat to record a victory that would retain the Ashes – with a draw in the five-match series enough.

The unique batsman’s third double-ton against England came in his first Test back after a concussion scare.

Smith was hit on the neck by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord’s – with England’s quickest bowler also striking him on the arm.

The Fourth Test was the first match in which Smith used a Stem Guard, the clip-on neck protector designed in the aftermath of Phillip Hughes’ tragic death.

And the Aussie No4 also also opted for an arm protector in a bid to cover up after his double-blow.

Smith’s unique habits at the crease are matched by the oddities that help him get into a real batting bubble.

QUIRKY STAR

The batsman famously doesn’t like the sight of shoelaces, so has them taped to his socks and even asked kit manufacturer New Balance to come with a long-term solution to hide them away.

Smith also uses a fresh set of batting gloves approximately every half an hour in a bid to keep him focused.

He once described neck guards as claustrophobic and like being “stuck in an MRI scan machine”.

They were firmly on his blacklist until the nasty scare from Archer prompted a rethink – as well as bizarrely avoiding eating duck the night before a game.

On top of that, Smith concedes he can’t help but “shadow bat” in front of his hotel mirror the evening before playing – while counting sheep in a bid to get over his “awful” sleeping habits.

Former Australia opener Hughes sickeningly passed away in 2014 after being hit in the same place as Smith – but without the Stem Guard.

The death prompted a major investigation into the safety of players – particularly when it comes to head injuries.

But it was only after he was hit himself that Smith opted to wear a helmet with the new safety feature.