Australia cricket great Matthew Hayden’s daughter expressed gratitude to England star Joe Root for preventing her father from fulfilling a bet 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 remarkable 135 not out innings, after being dropped early in his innings, spared Hayden from having to walk around the MCG unclothed as he had promised if Root failed to reach a century on this tour.
Grace Hayden, a commentator, publicly thanked Root on Instagram, visibly relieved by the outcome. Hayden himself acknowledged the potential trouble he narrowly avoided with his family, especially his wife and daughter, due to Root’s stellar performance.
In a video message, Hayden congratulated Root on his century, expressing his relief and humorously acknowledging the bet he had made. He emphasized the immense pressure he felt leading up to Root’s century and his gratefulness for the outcome.
Alastair Cook, Root’s former captain, praised his innings as brilliant and vital for England, highlighting Root’s consistent excellence under pressure and hailing him as England’s finest batsman in history.
The tense situation surrounding the bet and Root’s heroic century have captivated cricket fans worldwide, emphasizing the importance of this moment in the ongoing Ashes series.