Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden has backed Joe Root to finally end his century drought in Australia when Ashes kick off in November.

 

Root has dominated Test cricket in recent years, but has never reached three figures Down Under.

 

Speaking on the All Over Bar podcast, Hayden went all in with his prediction. “I will walk nude around the MCG if he doesn't make a hundred this summer,” he said.

 

The five-match Ashes series begins on November 21 in Perth. For England, it is their biggest chance to claim an away Ashes since 2011 and their first overall triumph since 2015. It will also test the fearless ‘Bazball’ style under captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum against Australia’s fiery pace attack.

 

Root enters the series in brilliant form. Since 2021, he has piled up 5,720 runs in 61 Tests at an average of 56.63, with 22 centuries and 17 fifties. His most recent outing was the home series against India, where he hammered 537 runs in five matches at 67.14, including three centuries.

 

Now, the England star sits second on the all-time Test run-scorers list with 13,543 runs in 158 matches at an average of 51.29, with 39 centuries and 66 fifties.

 

With numbers like that, Hayden believes Australia is about to see a different Joe Root.