Australia cricket legend Matthew Hayden’s daughter expressed gratitude towards England star Joe Root for preventing her father from fulfilling a 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.
Root’s exceptional performance, scoring an unbeaten 135 runs from 202 balls, not only anchored his team’s batting but also saved Hayden from carrying out a bet he made. Hayden had pledged to walk nude around the MCG if Root failed to reach a century during this tour, a promise that had him on edge after poor performances in Perth.
Grace Hayden, a commentator, publicly thanked Root on Instagram, signaling her relief with the gesture of making the sign of the cross and exclaiming, “Thank God.” She captioned her video with, “Root thank you you’ve saved all our eyes.”
Acknowledging the potential repercussions with his family, Hayden admitted feeling nervous and commended Root for his achievement. In a message to Root, Hayden congratulated him on his century in Australia, emphasizing his own stakes in the game and expressing relief that his wife and daughter were spared from witnessing his forfeit.
Former England captain Alastair Cook praised Root’s innings, highlighting his resilience under pressure and labeling him as England’s finest batsman. Cook’s acknowledgment of Root’s brilliance underscored the significance of the century in the context of the match’s dynamics.
