Steve Smith’s Bizarre Sunglasses Request: The New ‘Dean Jones Moment’ of the Ashes

Smith's Dean Jones moment; asks Carse to 'turn' his sunglasses - watch

Cricket is a game of centuries, records, and—occasionally—completely unexpected, head-scratching moments that go viral in seconds. During the 2025–26 Ashes, Australian legend Steve Smith delivered both in one unforgettable over: a bizarre on-field request that evoked memories of the late Dean Jones, followed by a historic milestone that cemented his legacy among Ashes greats.

The moment unfolded on a sun-drenched Australian afternoon. Smith, at the crease and in full concentration mode, suddenly paused mid-innings and gestured toward England seamer Brydon Carse, who was wearing mirrored sunglasses. Smith politely—but firmly—asked Carse to “turn” his sunglasses around because the glare was disrupting his vision. Carse, without hesitation, complied, flipping his shades to the back of his head like a cap. The entire exchange, caught on broadcast cameras, instantly sparked memes, debates, and comparisons to a famous 1980s incident involving India’s Sunil Gavaskar and Australia’s Dean Jones.

But this wasn’t just a quirky sideshow. On the very same day, Smith etched his name deeper into cricketing immortality by becoming the second-highest run-scorer in Ashes history, surpassing the legendary Sir Jack Hobbs. So, was this the new “Dean Jones moment”? And what does it say about Smith’s unique place in the game?

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The Steve Smith Sunglasses Incident: What Actually Happened?

During Day 3 of the Ashes Test in Adelaide, Smith was batting on 54* when England’s Brydon Carse came on to bowl. Carse, wearing reflective aviators, was positioned at fine leg but quickly moved to mid-off—placing him directly in Smith’s line of sight. The Australian, known for his intense focus and unorthodox stance, stopped play and signaled to the umpire.

Footage shows Smith saying, “Can he turn his sunglasses around? The glare’s in my eyes.” The third umpire relayed the request, and Carse, to his credit, immediately adjusted his shades without protest—tucking them behind his head. Play resumed, and Smith went on to score a crucial 98 in the innings.

This brief pause, lasting less than 30 seconds, became one of the most talked-about moments of the series—not for its controversy, but for its sheer peculiarity and the calm professionalism with which both players handled it.

The Dean Jones Parallel: History Repeats Itself?

Observers were quick to draw a parallel to a famous 1986 Test in Madras (now Chennai). During that match, Australian batter Dean Jones asked Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar to remove his white sunhat because its brightness was distracting him at the non-striker’s end. Gavaskar, after some initial hesitation, complied—a moment that’s since been immortalized in cricket folklore as a blend of sportsmanship and gamesmanship.

Like Jones, Smith’s request wasn’t against the rules—it was a tactical, albeit unusual, move to control his environment. Both incidents highlight how elite batters will go to great lengths to eliminate even the smallest distractions. As former England captain Michael Vaughan noted on commentary: “Smith’s not being petty. He’s being precise. At that level, every millisecond of visual clarity counts.”

Smith’s Historic Ashes Milestone: Surpassing Jack Hobbs

While the sunglasses moment captured headlines, Smith’s true achievement that day was far more significant. With his 58th run in the innings, he surpassed Sir Jack Hobbs’ tally of 3,636 Ashes runs, moving into second place on the all-time list behind only Sir Donald Bradman (5,028 runs).

Here’s a quick look at the top Ashes run-scorers of all time:

  • 1. Sir Donald Bradman (AUS) – 5,028 runs
  • 2. Steve Smith (AUS) – 3,685+ runs (and counting)
  • 3. Sir Jack Hobbs (ENG) – 3,636 runs
  • 4. Allan Border (AUS) – 3,440 runs
  • 5. David Gower (ENG) – 3,269 runs

What makes Smith’s feat even more remarkable is his average: over 60 in Ashes cricket. In the modern era—with faster bowlers, advanced analytics, and aggressive field placements—such consistency against England is nothing short of extraordinary. This milestone wasn’t just about volume; it was about sustained excellence under the fiercest rivalry in cricket.

Are Sunglasses Allowed? The Laws and Precedents

According to the MCC Laws of Cricket, there’s no specific rule prohibiting fielders from wearing sunglasses. However, Law 41.4 (“Unfair acts”) states that any action that could be deemed “distracting or dangerous” to the batter may be deemed unfair by the umpires.

In practice, requests like Smith’s are rare but not unprecedented. Batters have previously asked fielders to remove shiny wristbands or adjust reflective watches. Umpires typically mediate such requests on a case-by-case basis. In this instance, since Carse’s mirrored lenses were causing direct glare into Smith’s eyes, the request was deemed reasonable—and Carse’s quick compliance avoided any escalation.

Fan and Expert Reactions: Outrage or Just Gamesmanship?

Reactions on social media were split—but mostly amused. Memes flooded Twitter (X) comparing Smith to a “cricket librarian” adjusting the lighting, while others dubbed it “peak Smith”—a testament to his obsessive attention to detail.

Former players weighed in too:

  • Adam Gilchrist: “If the glare’s real, it’s fair to ask. Steve’s not trying to wind anyone up—he just wants to see the ball.”
  • Kevin Pietersen: “That’s gamesmanship, not cheating. Use every legal edge you’ve got. I’d have done the same.”
  • Michael Atherton: “It’s a curious moment, but it shows how finely tuned elite batters are to their environment.”

English fans, while initially amused, quickly pivoted to praising Carse’s sportsmanship—a rare moment of calm in the fiery Ashes cauldron.

For more on iconic Ashes moments, explore our archive on [INTERNAL_LINK:greatest-ashes-rivalries-in-history].

Conclusion: Quirkiness Meets Greatness

The Steve Smith sunglasses incident will be remembered not as a controversy, but as a quirky footnote in a career defined by brilliance. It encapsulates Smith’s persona: meticulous, unorthodox, and utterly focused on his craft. In the same breath that he made a polite, almost nerdy request, he was rewriting Ashes history—surpassing a knighted legend and moving closer to the immortal Bradman.

In a sport often weighed down by tradition, Smith reminds us that greatness can come wrapped in eccentricity. And sometimes, all it takes to change a game is a simple ask: “Can you turn your sunglasses around?”

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