[Watch] "Australian public and his family.." Joe Root's cheeky message after saving Matthew Hayden from nude walk

Matthew Hayden had earlier claimed he’d walk naked around the MCG if Joe Root doesn’t score 100 in The Ashes 2025-26.

After scoring his first test century in Australia during the ongoing second Ashes 2025–26 test in Brisbane, England batsman Joe Root sent a special message to the family of former Australian opener Matthew Hayden as well as to Australian cricket fans.

In England’s opening innings, Root came back undefeated with a score of 138, while the visitors scored 334 runs.

Former Australian opening batsman Hayden had vowed to go around the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) naked if Root did not reach a century in the five-match Ashes. In just three innings, the England batter saved Hayden and the Australian public.

As soon as Root referenced his first test century in Australia, Hayden cheered him on and was even seen reacting with enthusiasm.  

Hayden congratulated the former England captain on his well-earned century in Australia after Root’s century on the opening day of the Gabba test, joking that no one had “more skin in the game” than him.

“Congratulations, mate, on a hundred here in Australia. It took you a while, and there was no one who had more skin in the game than me. Literally, I was backing you for a hundred in a good way. Congratulations, ten fifties and finally a hundred. You little ripper, mate. Have a beauty and bloody enjoy it,” said Hayden.

‘The Australian public and his family don’t have to witness that’: Joe Root on Matthew Hayden’s vow to walk nude at MCG

Before the third day of play, Root finally replied to Hayden’s praise, saying that it was nice to hear nice remarks from a legendary hitter.

“Actually, it’s really nice of him to give me the confidence and backing in the first place. But yeah, it’s kind of him to send those words, and he’s obviously a great Australian, and he’s done special things in the game. So obviously, it’s nice to get that from him, but yeah, as well, to the Australian public that they don’t have to witness that. And his family, I think, they’ll be quite happy too,” Root said.

Australia have replied with 511 in the first innings, thanks to half-centuries from Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Alex Carey, and Mitchell Starc, who made 77. For England, Brydon Carse took four wickets, and Ben Stokes took three wickets.

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