Watch: Steve Smith Stops Play After Bizarre Reason for Distraction During Sydney Test, Commentators Left in Splits

‘You think you’ve seen everything,’ chuckled Ian Smith on air after one of the most bizarre moments seen on a cricket field.

On the third day of the ongoing Sydney Test between Australia and Pakistan, Steve Smith caused a near five-minute delay in proceedings after asking to get rid of an object placed behind the sightscreen because it was distracting him.

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It’s a common sight in cricket with batters halting play asking for the sightscreen to be adjusted or complaining about crowd movement around that area. The reason is that it’s in view of their eyesight and can cause unnecessary distraction affecting their focus while facing deliveries, especially from the fast bowlers when there’s less than a second’s time to react.

Smith this time was distracted by what turned out to be a little bundle of black tape which somehow found a resting place right behind the sightscreen.

As a member of the groundstaff at the Sydney Cricket Ground attempted to clear the distraction, the commentators were left in splits after finding out the reason behind the hold-up.

“Surely it’s not that little thing there, surely not,” said former England captain Michael Vaughan while on commentary duties.

“Don’t bet against it. Do not bet against it being a distraction,” chimed in his fellow commentator Smith before adding, “I mean, we’re guessing up here folks because we’re not out there and we’re trying to not make it sound as ridiculous as it is. That surely cannot be the reason.”

And then when it indeed turned out to be the case, Smith was left in disbelief.

“You know those days when you think you’ve seen everything?” Smith said.

The member of the groundstaff who came to the rescue turned out to be the hero and he lapped up the moment sharing plenty of high-fives from the crowd while making his way back.