Ashes 2025-26: Australia legend gives himself wild dare if Joe Root fails to end century drought in Australia

Published - 12 Sept 2025, 17:00 IST | Updated - 12 Sept 2025, 17:04 IST

Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden has set a daring challenge for himself if Joe Root fails to break his Test century drought Down Under in the 2025/26 Ashes. Root has not registered a single Test ton in Australia even after 27 innings.

He promised that he will walk around the Melbourne Cricket Ground without any clothes on if Root does not go onto make at least a single ton against Australia in the upcoming tour.

“I will walk nude around the MCG if he doesn't make a hundred this summer,” mentioned Hayden on the ‘All Over Bar The Cricket’ podcast, prompting amusement from both the panel and the audience alike.

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Hayden's remarks triggered a flurry of responses online. Humorously enough, Hayden's daughter Grace Hayden commented in the comments section. The renowned sports presenter comically tagged Root and pleaded him to score a century. "Please [Root] make a hundred," her comment read.

Root, who recently overtook Ricky Ponting to stand second on the all-time list of run-scorers in Test cricket, has 39 tons to his name. Fascinatingly, none of them have come in Australia. Speaking of the former English skipper's Test record against Australia in Australia, he has registered 892 runs at an average of 35.68 with nine half-centuries and a highest score of 89.

He has had an impressive 2025 in the red-ball arena so far, having scored 571 runs in six matches (10 innings). England last won the Ashes in Australia in the 2010-11 season. The experienced Root will be a significant asset for them to challenge for the title this time around. The five-match series is scheduled to commence on November 21.