Australian cricket legend Matthew Hayden’s daughter expressed gratitude to England star Joe Root for preventing her father from fulfilling a bizarre promise to strip naked. Root achieved his first century in Australia at the Gabba, marking a significant milestone 12 years after his initial Ashes tour.
The former England captain’s resilient performance, notably being dropped on just two runs, resulted in an unbeaten score of 135 from 202 balls, thereby relieving Hayden from the embarrassing bet he had made. Hayden had vowed to walk around the MCG in the nude if Root failed to reach a century during this tour, with the pressure mounting after poor performances in Perth.
Grace Hayden, a commentator, publicly praised Root’s achievement on Instagram, visibly relieved by his century-saving innings. She captioned her video with a heartfelt message, thanking Root for preserving their dignity.
Acknowledging the potential consequences of his bet, Hayden admitted to feeling nervous and humorously congratulated Root on his century, emphasizing the personal stake he had in the outcome. He expressed relief that his wife and daughter, in particular, were spared from witnessing the fulfillment of his wager.
Root’s former captain, Alastair Cook, lauded his exceptional performance, hailing him as a truly great player who excels under pressure and continues to improve with each game.
Throughout our network, we and our affiliates utilize data collected via cookies and other means to enhance user experience, analyze site usage, and deliver personalized content. You can manage your data sharing preferences by adjusting settings on our website. By using our services, you consent to our use of cookies as outlined in our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.