England's Joe Root has done more than just score a crucial Ashes century; he has saved Australian cricket icon Matthew Hayden from a deeply embarrassing public spectacle. Root's unbeaten 135 on day one of the second Test at the Gabba meant Hayden did not have to fulfil a promise to walk naked around the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
The Bet That Had Everyone Nervous
The remarkable situation stemmed from a bold wager made by the former Australia opener. Hayden had pledged to stroll around the MCG without any clothes if Joe Root failed to score a century during England's current Ashes tour. After the England batter registered scores of zero and eight in the first Test in Perth, the prospect of Hayden disrobing began to feel alarmingly real.
However, on Thursday, 4 December 2025, Root delivered a masterclass, reaching his first Test hundred in Australia in 12 years. His 135 not out from 202 balls not only steadied England's innings but also let Hayden, his family, and the cricketing public breathe a massive sigh of relief.
A Daughter's Grateful Prayer
The person perhaps most thankful was Hayden's own daughter, Grace, a sports commentator. She took to Instagram to express her profound gratitude to the England batsman. In a video, she was seen making the sign of the cross before uttering, "Thank God."
She captioned the post: "Root thank you you’ve saved all our eyes," making her stance on her father's potential nudity hilariously clear. Her reaction underscored the family's shared anxiety over the light-hearted but risky bet.
Hayden's Relief and Cook's Praise
Matthew Hayden himself was quick to congratulate Root and acknowledge his narrow escape. In a video message, the ex-opener admitted he was "nervous" as he counted down Root's innings, and highlighted that his wife and daughter were the most relieved people of all.
"No one wanted to see that," Hayden stated frankly. "There are two people who will be more relieved than anyone else: that’s my wife and my daughter." He humorously noted he had "more skin in the game" than anyone else.
Meanwhile, Root's former captain, Alastair Cook, offered more traditional sporting acclaim on TNT Sports. "Even Australia will have to admit he's a great now," Cook declared, hailing the innings as "brilliant" and labelling Root as England's best-ever batsman.
Root's performance, therefore, achieved two significant feats: it provided the backbone for England's fightback in the Ashes series and, perhaps more memorably, preserved the dignity of a cricketing legend and the sensibilities of his family.
