Joe Root Ends Australia Drought, Saves Matthew Hayden from Nude MCG Walk

Joe Root has finally scored a Test century in Australia. The England batsman reached the milestone at the Gabba in the first Ashes Test of the 2025-26 series. His brilliant knock of 118 not only steadied England’s innings but also saved Australian legend Matthew Hayden from an embarrassing promise.

Hayden had publicly vowed to walk nude around the Melbourne Cricket Ground if Root failed to score a hundred this Australian summer. Root’s determined innings, his first Test ton on Australian soil, ensured the playful bet had a modest outcome.

Hayden’s Bold Wager Becomes Series Subplot

The unusual stake was set before the series began. Matthew Hayden, commentating and speaking to media, made the bold declaration. He said he had full confidence in Root’s ability but framed it with typical Australian bravado.

According to cricket analysts, the bet immediately became a talking point. It added a layer of friendly, off-field drama to the intense Ashes rivalry. Fans and pundits alike watched Root’s every innings with Hayden’s promise in mind.

Root Conquers Gabba Demons with Gritty Knock

Root walked to the crease with England in trouble at 5-2. Mitchell Starc had made early breakthroughs for Australia. The pressure was immense, compounded by his previous record in the country.

Despite over 13,000 Test runs, a century in Australia had eluded Root for 30 innings. He played carefully at first, building key partnerships. He reached his fifty and then patiently worked towards the historic three-figure mark.

The moment came against bowler Scott Boland. Root’s celebration was understated but filled with clear relief. The knock helped England post a competitive first-innings total at a challenging venue.

Hayden’s Playful Congratulatory Message Goes Viral

True to his word, Hayden acknowledged Root’s achievement with humor. He sent a video message congratulating the England star. The clip was shared widely by England Cricket on social media platform X.

“Congratulations mate on 100 here in Australia,” Hayden said in the video. “Took you a while, and there was no one that had more skin in the game than me, literally.” His comment was a clear nod to his earlier nude-walk pledge.

The reaction online was swift and amused. The moment was celebrated as a perfect example of the Ashes spirit—fierce competition tempered by mutual respect and good humor between opponents.

A Milestone That Alters Root’s Legacy

This century is Root’s 40th in Test cricket. It places him firmly among the all-time greats of the game. He now sits just 11 centuries behind the record held by Sachin Tendulkar.

More importantly, it removes a significant asterisk from his remarkable career. Critics often pointed to his lack of an Australian century when debating his greatness. That particular narrative has now been firmly put to bed.

For England, the innings provided crucial stability in a tough away match. It demonstrated that Root remains the vital backbone of their batting lineup in all conditions.

Joe Root’s long-awaited Australia century is a landmark personal achievement. It also created one of the most memorable and light-hearted stories in recent Ashes history, proving that cricket’s greatest rivalry still has room for camaraderie and fun.

Thought you’d like to know

What was Matthew Hayden’s exact bet about Joe Root?

Matthew Hayden promised to walk naked around the Melbourne Cricket Ground if Joe Root did not score a Test century during England’s tour of Australia in the 2025-26 summer. Root’s century at the Gabba meant Hayden did not have to fulfill the unusual pledge.

Why was this century so significant for Joe Root?

This was Joe Root’s first-ever Test century on Australian soil. It ended a 30-innings drought in the country and silenced a common criticism of his otherwise stellar career record away from home.

How many Test centuries does Joe Root have now?

With this innings, Joe Root now has 40 Test centuries. This places him third on the all-time list, behind only Sachin Tendulkar (51) and Jacques Kallis (45).

How did the cricket world react to this incident?

The reaction was overwhelmingly positive and humorous. Fans and commentators saw it as a great moment of sportsmanship and banter, highlighting the unique spirit of the Ashes rivalry beyond just the on-field competition.