Cricket fans around the world breathed a collective sigh of relief when Joe Root finally notched his first Test century on Australian soil. But for one family, the stakes were far more personal—and visual.
Thanks to Root’s fluent 135, Australian legend Matthew Hayden was spared an extremely awkward, and very naked, walk around the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The reason? A bold promise Hayden made in September 2025 that if Root didn’t score his first hundred Down Under, he’d do the deed himself .
Table of Contents
- The Ash-to-Ashes Moment: Root’s Redemption
- The Hayden Family Bet, Explained
- Why This Joe Root Century Is Historic
- Grace Hayden’s Viral Thank You
- Root in Australia: A Decade of Misses
- Conclusion
- Sources
The Ash-to-Ashes Moment: Root’s Redemption
For years, Joe Root’s inability to convert starts into centuries in Australia was a glaring anomaly in an otherwise stellar career. With countless fifties but no ton, the pressure mounted with every Ashes series. His previous best on Australian soil was a frustrating 89 .
That all changed in the 2025 Ashes. Facing a formidable Australian attack, Root played with a calm authority that had been missing in past tours. His 135 wasn’t just a personal triumph; it was the anchor England’s fragile innings desperately needed. This knock has firmly cemented his status as one of the all-time greats .
The Hayden Family Bet, Explained
While fans were focused on the scoreboard, a more comedic subplot was brewing in the Hayden household. Australian great Matthew Hayden, now a prominent cricket commentator , had made a light-hearted but very public wager. He vowed that if Joe Root failed to score his maiden Test century in Australia during this series, he would walk around the MCG in the nude .
It was a classic Hayden move—bold, bullish, and guaranteed to get a reaction . But as the Ashes progressed and Root kept falling short, the prospect of the veteran opener fulfilling his promise started to feel more real. For his daughter, Grace, it was a nightmare scenario.
Why This Joe Root Century Is Historic
This wasn’t just any century. It was Joe Root’s 40th in Test cricket, placing him among an elite group of only four batters in history to achieve that milestone . He now leads the so-called ‘Fab Four’ of modern batting with 40 Test tons, ahead of Virat Kohli and his contemporaries .
For an Englishman, scoring a century in Australia is a rite of passage. Legends are made in these conditions. Root’s achievement, coming after 12 years and 30 Test attempts on Australian soil, was a testament to his perseverance and skill . It’s a moment that belongs in the annals of Cricket History.
Root in Australia: A Decade of Misses
Root’s struggles Down Under were a well-documented narrative. Here’s a quick look at his journey:
- Test Debut in Aus: 2013
- Previous Highest Score: 89
- Number of Fifties Before 2025: 8
- Years Without a Century: 12
Each tour brought hope, followed by the familiar disappointment of a promising start ending in the 70s or 80s. This century finally closed that painful chapter.
Grace Hayden’s Viral Thank You
As soon as Root reached his hundred, the internet’s attention quickly shifted from the cricket to its most entertaining side effect. Grace Hayden, Matthew’s 23-year-old daughter, took to social media to express her profound gratitude .
In an Instagram post that has since gone viral, she shared a selfie with the caption: “Root, thank you, you’ve saved all our eyes” . The post was a direct and hilarious reference to her father’s nude MCG pledge. The cricket world instantly embraced her witty relief, with the message resonating far beyond just the Ashes rivalry .
Conclusion
Joe Root’s century was a masterclass in batting under pressure and a historic personal milestone. But its legacy might just be its unintended consequence: a viral, family-friendly internet moment that spared a cricket legend from a mortifying public display. Thanks to Root, Grace Hayden—and all of us—can rest easy knowing our eyes are safe. It’s a reminder that in the high-stakes world of international cricket, sometimes the most memorable moments happen far from the pitch.