Ashes: The real story behind Matthew Hayden’s ‘I will walk nude’ remark

Why Hayden said ‘I will walk nude’ — the Ashes story behind it. (PTI Photo)

Matthew Hayden has long tormented opposition bowlers with his aggressive approach at the top of the order, striding down the pitch with confidence to dominate even the finest attacks. Yet none of those bowlers could have anticipated the boldness of his recent words. As England cricket team marked the 20th anniversary of their iconic 2005 Ashes series win at home, Hayden’s surprising remarks have sent shockwaves across the internet.

The former Australian opener revealed during an appearance on the All Over Bar The Cricket YouTube channel that he would do something outrageous if Joe Root fails to break his century drought in Australia during the upcoming Ashes, which begins on November 21 in Perth. Hayden believes Root has a real chance of reaching three figures at one of Australia’s premier venues, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), given his current form and the favourable batting conditions there.

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“I will walk nude around the MCG if he (Root) doesn't make a hundred this summer,” Hayden declared.

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His comment instantly grabbed global attention, prompting his daughter Grace Hayden, who works as a sports presenter, to jump in and plead for Root to spare her father from humiliation. Replying on the show’s Instagram account, she wrote, “Please Joe Root, make a hundred.”