Joe Root sends light-hearted message to Australians after Matthew Hayden's daring 'NUDE' challenge

Joe Root finally broke one of the most talked-about droughts in the modern era by smashing his first-ever Test century on Australian soil, ending 12 years of frustration at The Gabba, Brisbane. Joe Root took 16 Tests in Australia to reach three figures.

The former England captain is one of the greatest modern-era batters in Tests, but until December 4, he had not scored a century in Australia, leaving fans wondering if the wait would ever end. But Root managed to end the drought in the ongoing second Ashes 2025-26 Test at The Gabba.

Joe Root finally breaks his Australia Test century curse

It was Root’s 40th Test century, and the roar from England fans said it all, as they had been waiting for this moment since his debut Down Under. The right-handed batter’s ton didn’t just lift England, but it also saved legendary Australian batter Matthew Hayden from running nude in Melbourne during the ongoing Ashes 2025-26.

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Earlier, Hayden had declared that he would run around the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) completely naked if Root failed to score a hundred during the ongoing five-match Test series in Australia. However, Australian fans were spared those unforgettable scenes, thanks to Root’s flawless innings in the ongoing second Ashes Test.

The Englishman remained unbeaten on 138 and pushed England past the 330-run mark in the ongoing Day-Night Test against Australia at The Gabba. Root was hailed for this achievement by the cricket fraternity across the world, including by Hayden himself.

Joe Root jokes Australia should thank him for avoiding Matthew Hayden’s wild MCG promise

Ahead of the third day’s play in Brisbane, Root replied to Hayden’s challenge in his own calm and cheeky style, as he sent a warm message to the Australian fans and the former opener’s family. who were probably more relieved than anyone else that the former opener wouldn’t have to step onto the MCG in the most shocking way imaginable.

The Englishman said that it meant a lot to hear encouraging words from someone considered a legend in Australian cricket. He also jokingly said that Hayden’s family and the Australian public should be grateful too, as they now don’t have to witness unimaginable scenes at the MCG.

Joe Root said in a video shared by England Cricket, X: “Actually, it's really nice of him to give me the confidence and backing in the first place. But yeah, it's kind of him to send those words, and he's obviously a great Australian, and he's done special things in the game.

So obviously, it's nice to get that from him, but yeah, as well, to the Australian public that they don't have to witness that. And his family, I think, will be quite happy too.”

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📩 (1) Reply: 𝗝𝗼𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝘁

After scoring his first ever hundred in Australia, Rooty sent a little message back to @HaydosTweets 😂 https://t.co/rRc6LSdqvU pic.twitter.com/piVVnZl3XA

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) December 6, 2025

Matthew Hayden celebrates Joe Root’s long-awaited century in Australia

After Root finally broke his long wait for a Test century in Australia with a brilliant knock on the opening day at the Gabba, Hayden teased that he was more invested than anyone in seeing him reach the milestone. The commentator called it a well-earned achievement on Australian soil.

Hayden said in an ECB video on X: “Congratulations, mate, on a hundred here in Australia. It took you a while, and there was no one who had more skin in the game than me. Literally, I was backing you for a hundred in a good way. Congratulations, ten fifties and finally a hundred. You little ripper, mate. Have a beauty and bloody enjoy it.”

🤳 (1) 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲@HaydosTweets has something he'd like to say to Joe Root 😅 pic.twitter.com/0yPGk7JC5S

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) December 4, 2025

Let's cross LIVE to Matthew Hayden after Joe Root's century...

😂 #Ashes pic.twitter.com/4Wnnp5vsMN

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 4, 2025