Matthew Hayden’s Crazy Bet: Will Walk Nude at MCG If….!
Matthew Hayden’s Bold Ashes Challenge
The upcoming Ashes 2025/26 series has already started generating headlines, and this time it’s not just because of the players. Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden has made a sensational promise — if Joe Root fails to score a century in Australia, Hayden will walk around the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) without any clothes on.
Speaking on the All Over Bar The Cricket podcast, Hayden said:
“I will walk nude around the MCG if he doesn’t make a hundred this summer.”
The remark immediately sparked laughter from the panel and audience, but it has since taken over social media with fans eagerly reacting to the bold challenge.
Joe Root’s Century Drought in Australia
Root is undoubtedly one of the greatest Test batters of the modern era, but there remains a glaring gap in his otherwise legendary record — he has never scored a Test hundred in Australia.
- Innings in Australia: 27
- Runs scored: 892
- Batting average: 35.68
- Highest score: 89
- 50s: 9
- Centuries: 0
Despite 39 career Test hundreds and recently surpassing Ricky Ponting to become the second-highest run-scorer in Test history, Root’s inability to convert fifties into hundreds in Australia remains a talking point.
Grace Hayden’s Hilarious Reaction
Interestingly, Hayden’s daughter Grace Hayden joined the fun by commenting on social media. Tagging Joe Root, she wrote:
“Please [Root] make a hundred.”
Her playful plea added more humor to the situation and showed that even Hayden’s family is invested in the English star finally breaking his drought Down Under.
Root’s Form Heading Into Ashes 2025/26
Root’s chances of finally ending his century drought look promising. In 2025 so far, he has scored 571 runs in six Test matches (10 innings), showing strong form in the red-ball format.
With the Ashes set to begin on November 21, 2025, Root will be England’s biggest weapon if they are to challenge Australia. The last time England won the Ashes in Australia was back in the 2010-11 series, and Root will be determined to change that record.
Why Root’s Century Could Define the Ashes
Root’s ability to anchor England’s batting against Australia’s world-class bowling attack will be critical. If he finally breaks his drought with a hundred:
- It will boost England’s chances of regaining the Ashes urn.
- It will silence critics who question his performances in Australian conditions.
- It might save Matthew Hayden from having to keep his daring promise at the MCG!
Matthew Hayden’s hilarious vow has added extra spice to the upcoming Ashes 2025/26 series. With Root in strong form and desperate to end his century drought in Australia, all eyes will be on him when the series kicks off in Brisbane on November 21.
Will Root finally score that elusive century Down Under, or will cricket fans witness Hayden’s outrageous MCG challenge? The Ashes just got a whole lot more entertaining.
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