During the third day of the fifth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on January 6, 2026, a peculiar incident occurred involving Australian batsman Steve Smith and English bowler Brydon Carse. Smith, known for his meticulousness and sometimes unusual habits at the crease, halted play to request Carse to adjust his sunglasses, claiming the reflection was distracting him.
Carse, seemingly unfazed by the request, sportingly obliged, moving his sunglasses to the back of his cap. This act of compliance, however, drew a bemused reaction from former England captain and commentator Michael Vaughan.
Vaughan, commentating on the match, expressed his surprise at Carse's willingness to accommodate Smith's request. "That's very nice of Brydon to do so," Vaughan remarked. "Don't think there's any regulation for the way you put on your glasses? I've never seen that before that in my life. Brydon Carse should just put them on. I can't believe he's actually said, 'Ok, no problem'". He further joked about how legendary Australian spinner Shane Warne might have reacted in a similar situation, implying Warne would have been less accommodating.
Smith is known for his "antics" at the crease, often pausing play due to distractions in his periphery. These include the glare from fielders' sunglasses and even spectators carrying ice cream. Smith himself acknowledged his quirks, stating, "It just kind of happens when I'm out there and when I'm doing those things it means I'm in a good zone. Hopefully, we can see a few more of them".
The incident sparked laughter and discussion in the commentary box, with many finding the exchange unusual yet light-hearted. While some observers found Smith's request presumptuous, others viewed Carse's compliance as a display of good sportsmanship. Vaughan's comments, however, highlighted the absence of any specific regulations regarding fielders' attire and accessories, and questioned whether Carse was obligated to fulfill Smith's request.
The interaction occurred during a critical phase of the Test match, with Smith forging important partnerships with Travis Head and Usman Khawaja. Smith went on to score a century, further solidifying Australia's position in the game. At the end of the day's play, Australia were 7-518 at stumps, leading by 134 runs.
