Joe Root’s long wait to score a century on Australian soil has ended. Joe Root scored a century on the very first day of Brisbane Test. This is Root’s first century on Australian soil, and the 40th century of his Test career. Root’s century has increased Australia’s anxiety, but Australia’s former great batsman Matthew Hayden has heaved a sigh of relief.
Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden had said before the start of the Ashes that if Root could not score a century during the 2025-26 Ashes, he would run without clothes at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Root’s century saved Hayden from any kind of uncomfortable situation.
After Root’s century, Hayden congratulated him on the X and said, “Joe, congratulations friend. It took you a while. Ten fifties and finally a century, well done friend, great innings.”
Last week, Hayden appeared on the All Over The Cricket podcast in disbelief that Root had not been included in the panellist’s all-time Ashes XI. In a mixture of anger and showmanship, he vowed that if Root did not score a century in this Ashes, he would roam around Melbourne without clothes. This statement of Hayden became a topic of discussion.
Looking at Root’s past record, people on social media started talking different things about Hayden.
Root, who could not score even a single century in the last 15 Tests played in Australia, scored a brilliant century in his 16th Test. At the end of the first day at Gabba, where batting is very difficult, Root is unbeaten on 135 runs. On the basis of his century, England has scored 325 runs for 9 wickets by the end of the first day’s play.
PAK
