(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Matthew Hayden’s Bold Prediction About Joe Root Sparks Ashes Hype
Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden has once again made headlines — this time not for his batting, but for a bold prediction about England’s star batter, Joe Root, ahead of the upcoming Ashes series in Australia.
Speaking on the All Over Bar The Cricket podcast, the 53-year-old legend predicted that Root will finally break his drought and score a Test century on Australian soil during this year’s Ashes. Root, despite being one of the greatest modern Test batsmen, has yet to reach three figures in Australia.
Hayden added a surprising twist to his prediction, joking that if Root fails to score a century, he would walk around the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) without clothes — a remark that has since gone viral on social media.
Family and Fans Join the Banter
Adding to the buzz, Hayden’s daughter, Grace, a sports presenter, cheekily urged Root on social media: “Please score a century this time.” Fans from both England and Australia have flooded platforms with mixed reactions, some backing Root to finally succeed, while others teased about Hayden’s daring promise.
Joe Root’s Record So Far
Root’s career numbers speak for themselves:
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13,543 Test runs
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39 centuries
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Recently overtook legends Ricky Ponting and Jacques Kallis in the all-time Test runs list
However, in 14 Tests in Australia, Root has scored 892 runs at an average of 35.68, with a highest score of 89 (in 2021). Despite his dominance worldwide, an Ashes century in Australia remains missing from his record.
Ashes 2025 – A New Subplot
The Ashes has always been cricket’s fiercest rivalry, but Hayden’s challenge has added an extra layer of intrigue. The big question is:
👉 Will Joe Root finally break his Australian century hoodoo?
👉 Or will Matthew Hayden’s daring prediction become the most talked-about moment of the summer?
One thing is certain — the 2025 Ashes series just got even more exciting.
