LONDON—The Australian men’s cricket team doesn’t pay attention anymore when Steve Smith tapes his shoelaces to his socks. Nor do they mind being woken up at 7 a.m. by the sound of their teammate tap-tapping his bat on the floor, because he’s decided to practice in his hotel room. After a decade, they barely notice his habit of fidgeting like a murder suspect when he bats.

By now, Australia’s cricketers know that Smith just needs to be left alone.

Because...