Then that should have been called out by the umpires as an obstruction. And that is an entirely different thing to what you were describing.
However on the point about players being treated with kid gloves, yes, eg their ability to get drinks out of usual drinks times is way different when partner played cricket. Even in the hottest of conditions drinks were only allowed in the drinks session regardless of the temperature which is of course, ridiculous. And then we have Steve Smith with his gloves. Watch that next innings. But the Cricketers Association has become quite powerful (thanks Tim May) and players can assert themselves much more. And get paid for their work.