Matthew Hayden on Joe Root: Joe Root finally ended his long wait for a Test century on Australian soil, scoring a brilliant unbeaten 135* on Day 1 of the 2nd Ashes Test in Brisbane. But more than that he saved Matthew Hayden from fulfilling his outrageous viral promise.
Before the Ashes began, former Australian opener Matthew Hayden jokingly vowed that if Joe Root failed to score a century in the entire series, he would run naked around the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Root majestic hundred not only lifted England from a shaky start but also spared Hayden—and the world from an unforgettable (and shocking) sight.
Hayden’s Viral Reaction: “Thanks, Mate!”
As soon as Root smashed the four that brought up his hundred, Hayden posted a video on X (Twitter) with a huge sigh of relief.
🤳 (1) 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲@HaydosTweets has something he'd like to say to Joe Root 😅 pic.twitter.com/0yPGk7JC5S
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) December 4, 2025
He said:
“G’day Joe, congratulations mate! Took your time, but well played. You saved me today!”
Let's cross LIVE to Matthew Hayden after Joe Root's century…
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 4, 2025
😂 #Ashes pic.twitter.com/4Wnnp5vsMN
Even Hayden’s daughter Grace Hayden, who is a friend of Sara Tendulkar, trolled her father.
She posted on Instagram:
“Root, thank you. You saved all our eyes!”
Root’s Historic Knock at the Gabba
Walking in at 5/2 after early blows from Mitchell Starc, Root played one of his finest innings in Australia.
His 135* is now:
- His 40th Test century
- His first Test century on Australian soil
- The highest score by an English batter on Day 1 in Australia since Michael Vaughan’s 177 (2002)
Root’s calmness, shot selection, and patience stood out as he kept England afloat while wickets kept falling at the other end. He added a crucial 61-run partnership for the last wicket with Jofra Archer now the highest 10th-wicket stand in Day-Night Test history.
Score Summary – England Day 1 at The Gabba
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | 2nd Test, Ashes 2025–26 |
| Venue | The Gabba, Brisbane |
| England Score | 325/9 (Stumps, Day 1) |
| Top Scorer | Joe Root – 135* |
| Key Partnership | Root–Archer: 61 runs (10th wicket) |
| Top Aussie Bowler | Mitchell Starc – 6 wickets |
Joe Root’s century wasn’t just a personal milestone it became one of the most entertaining storylines of the Ashes. He saved England from collapse, he made the crowd erupt, and most importantly, he saved Matthew Hayden from the boldest cricket promise ever made on live TV. The Ashes 2025–26 has already delivered drama, records, and unforgettable moments and this Root-Hayden episode is surely going down as one of the funniest chapters in modern cricket.
