Grace Hayden begs Joe Root after Matthew Hayden drops WILD "walk nude" remarks ahead of Ashes

Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden promised to walk nude around the Melbourne Cricket Ground if England’s Joe Root fails to score a century in the 2025 Ashes. Hayden’s hilarious remark has sparked chatter on social media, and his daughter also made a plea to Root via Instagram.

Root has played 14 Test matches in Australia. He has scored 892 runs at an average of 35.68, with nine half-centuries, but is yet to score a century on Australian soil. Overall, against Australia, the 34-year-old has played 34 Tests, scoring 2,428 runs at an average of 40.46, including 18 fifties and four centuries.

I Will Walk Nude Around the MCG If Joe Root... - Matthew Hayden

During a discussion on the All Over Bar The Cricket YouTube channel, Matthew Hayden predicted that Joe Root would finally score a Test century in Australia during England’s upcoming tour.

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Hayden jokingly stated, “I will walk nude around the MCG if he doesn't make a hundred this summer.” The former Australia opener’s comment drew laughter from panelists and viewers alike.

The remark was shared on the show’s Instagram account, where Hayden’s daughter, sports presenter Grace Hayden, added to the fun by urging Root to reach a century. The post quickly went viral on social media.

“Please Joe Root, make a hundred,” she commented.

Joe Root Is the Second-Highest Run-Scorer in Test Cricket History

Joe Root is now the second-highest run-scorer in the format. He sits just behind India’s Sachin Tendulkar, who holds the record with 15,921 runs. Root, who made his Test debut against India in December 2012, has played 158 matches and scored 13,543 runs in 288 innings at a batting average of 51.29.

The England middle-order batter has smashed 39 Test centuries and 66 half-centuries, the most by any English cricketer. He is also fourth on the list for most centuries in Test history.

Since the start of 2021, he has played 61 Test matches and scored 5,720 runs at a superb average of 56.63, including 22 centuries and 17 fifties. The 34-year-old is preparing for the upcoming Ashes series in 2025 and will aim to score his maiden century in Australia.

Matthew Hayden Among Australia’s Greatest Cricketers

Matthew Hayden is among Australia’s greatest cricketers. The left-hander represented his country in 103 Tests, 161 ODIs, and nine T20Is in his international career, scoring over 15,000 runs across formats.

Hayden was a consistent match-winner in both red- and white-ball cricket. He briefly held the world record for the highest individual Test score with 380 against Zimbabwe in Perth and finished his Test career with 30 centuries and 29 half-centuries.

The southpaw played a key role in Australia’s 2003 World Cup-winning team and was the leading run-scorer in the 2007 edition, amassing 659 runs at an average of 73.22. After retiring in 2012, he was inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2017.

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