AUS vs ENG : Joe Root saved the shame, if he hadn’t scored a century…! Matthew Hayden’s daughter reacts

Ahead of the Ashes series, Australian legend Matthew Hayden made a strange claim. He had said that if veteran batsman Joe Root failed to score a century in the series, he would run naked at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Speaking on a podcast, Hayden said, “If he doesn’t score a century, I’ll run naked on the MCG.” Not only did Root’s century bring a sigh of relief, but his daughter Grace Hayden’s reaction also took to social media.

IND vs SA : Who will win the decisive match! When and where to watch Visakhapatnam ODI for free?

Thank you Grace

Hayden’s daughter Grace said, “Please score a century, Root.” Hayden was relieved when Root scored a brilliant century on the first day of the pink-ball Test against Australia at the Gabba. Grace was also relieved. “Thank you Root, you saved all of our eyes,” she wrote on Instagram Stories.

Matthew Hayden congratulates England batsman Joe Root after he scored his maiden Test century on Australian soil on the first day of the second Ashes Test in Brisbane on Thursday.

Matthew Hayden’s daughter’s Instagram story on Joe Root’s hundred. pic.twitter.com/OeCZLJk5N5

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 4, 2025

In a video shared on Instagram, Hayden said, “Congratulations on scoring a century in Australia mate. It took you a long time and to be honest, nobody was more interested in the game than me. I was waiting for your century. Congratulations on ten fifties and finally a century. Live life to the fullest and enjoy it to the fullest.”

Root scored his 40th Test century

Root completed his maiden century on Australian soil in 181 balls. It was Root’s 40th Test century. The former England captain took 30 innings to complete his maiden century in Australia. He became the second English player after Maurice Leyland to score a century on the first day of the Gabba Test. Root became the eighth batsman to score a Test century for England at the Gabba.

Root not out on 135 runs

When play was stopped on the first day, England had scored 325 for 9 in 74 overs. Joe Root remained unbeaten on 135 off 202 balls, while Jofra Archer remained unbeaten on 32 off 26 balls. Mitchell Starc took six wickets for Australia on the first day. Australia will be looking for another wicket on the second day of the second Test.