Matthew Hayden’s daughter issues official statement after Joe Root’s maiden Test century in Australia

Matthew Hayden’s daughter, Grace, shared a lighthearted reaction after Joe Root ended his long wait for a century in Australia during the second Ashes Test at the Gabba in Brisbane on Thursday, December 4. Grace, who works as a TV presenter, posted an Instagram story thanking Root for “saving everyone’s eyes.”

In September 2025, Matthew Hayden joked that he would walk around the MCG nude if Root failed to score a century in the 2025-26 Ashes. Root had been under pressure heading into the series, as he had toured Australia three times without reaching three figures, despite being the key pillar of England’s batting lineup.

Grace Hayden Reacts as Joe Root Ends Long Wait for Century in Australia

Joe Root ended his century drought in Australia on the opening day of the pink-ball Test in Brisbane. The right-handed batter reached the milestone from 181 balls. Fans reacted with hilarious messages across social media platforms, including mentions of Matthew Hayden.

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Grace Hayden shared an Instagram story with the caption, “Root thank you, you've saved all our eyes.” Here's the screenshot of Grace Hayden's story:

Grace Hayden’s reaction on Joe Root’s hundred 😂 pic.twitter.com/SoRUluBPTv

— The Brevis (@Ben10Brevis) December 4, 2025

Root had come near to a century in Australia on two earlier tours. He scored 89 in Brisbane in 2021 and 87 in Adelaide in 2013. Overall, he has scored five Test hundreds and 18 fifties across 36 Test matches.

I Was Backing You for a Hundred in a Good Way - Matthew Hayden Lauds Joe Root

In a video posted by England Cricket’s official social media handle, Matthew Hayden congratulated Joe Root on scoring a Test century in Australia. The former opener, who played 103 Tests for Australia, joked about backing Root to reach three figures.

"Congratulations on a hundred here in Australia mate. Took you a while and there was no one that had more skin in the game than me, literally. I was backing you for a hundred in a good way. Congratulations, 10 fifties and finally a hundred. You little ripper mate, have a beauty and enjoy it."

Joe Root’s First Hundred on Australian Shores Helps England Post 334

England opted to bat first after Ben Stokes won the toss in Brisbane. Mitchell Starc removed Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope for ducks. Zak Crawley and Joe Root rescued the team from further collapse. Crawley looked confident and scored 76 with 11 boundaries before he was dismissed.

Root continued to bat despite wickets falling at the other end. Harry Brook scored 31, and Stokes was run out for 19 after a mix-up. Jamie Smith went for a duck, and Will Jacks added 19. Root reached his 40th Test hundred, his first in Australia.

Jofra Archer gave important support to Root. They added a 70-run partnership that pushed England to a competitive total. Archer scored 38, while Root finished unbeaten on 138 from 206 balls. Starc was the pick of the Australian bowlers, taking six wickets as England were bowled out for 334.

In reply, the hosts reached 84 for one wicket after 16 overs at the time of writing, with Jake Weatherald unbeaten on 33 and Marnus Labuschagne on 6.

Also read: Virat Kohli furious after getting out in Raipur ODI vs South Africa, harms himself in rage