Mathew Hayden on Joe Root, Harry Brook and Zak Crawley – A Deep Analysis of His Bold Claims

Mathew Hayden, one of Australia’s most respected cricketing voices, has once again sparked headlines by making a bold and humorous bet surrounding England’s premier batter Joe Root. During a conversation on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, Hayden discussed where Australia will target Root in the remaining Ashes matches, how modern batting is evolving, and why England’s youngsters like Harry Brook and Zak Crawley must refine their approach. Mathew

In the middle of this deep cricketing discussion, Hayden even pledged that he would walk around the Melbourne Cricket Ground nude if Joe Root fails to score a century in the ongoing Ashes series. While the comment was made jokingly, it reflects his deep respect for Root’s class and skill — because in Hayden’s eyes, Root not scoring a century would be nothing short of shocking. Mathew

This article explores Hayden’s thoughts in detail — from technique to temperament — and breaks down his views in simple English so every cricket fan can understand the context. Mathew

Mathew Hayden’s Bold Prediction About Joe Root

Hayden’s statement about walking nude around the MCG may sound dramatic, but it reveals how much he trusts Root’s batting ability. According to Hayden, Root is too technically sound, too experienced, and too mentally sharp to go an entire Ashes series without scoring a hundred.

Hayden believes that Root thrives under pressure. The Ashes atmosphere — full of intensity, rivalry, noise, and expectation — often brings the best out of him. Even though Root has had mixed results in recent innings, Hayden insists that one big knock is “inevitable.”

Why Hayden Thinks Root Will Score a Century

• Root adapts quicker than most batters.
• He reads Australia’s attack exceptionally well.
• He handles bounce and seam with maturity.
• He rotates strike better than any other English batter.
• He rarely repeats mistakes across multiple innings.

Hayden’s prediction may be bold, but his reasoning is purely cricketing.

Where Australia Will Target Joe Root

According to Hayden, Australia’s bowling unit has a clear plan against Joe Root:

1. The Off-Stump Trap

Root often gets dismissed while defending too close to his body. Australia will continue testing him in the off-stump channel to force a mistake.

2. Lyon’s Angle and Bounce

Even though Nathan Lyon is aging, his overspin and sharp bounce have troubled Root before. Hayden says Australia will use Lyon early whenever Root comes in.

3. Short-Ball Variation

Australia has used the short-ball tactic effectively across formats. Root handles it well, but not always comfortably. Hayden expects Australia to mix short balls with fuller deliveries to unsettle his rhythm.

Despite these challenges, Hayden believes Root will break through and deliver a match-defining innings.

Harry Brook – A Talent in Transition

Hayden also praised Harry Brook’s natural stroke-making ability but warned that IPL-style batting does not always translate safely to Test cricket. Brook loves taking bowlers on, especially early, but Hayden feels he must learn to “build an innings” the way top Test batters do.

Hayden’s observations about Brook

• He plays too many high-risk shots early in his innings.
• His attacking nature is powerful but needs discipline.
• Bowlers have now studied his weaknesses and set smarter fields.

Hayden compares Brook’s journey to early-career David Warner — all aggression, but needing a blueprint for long innings.

Zak Crawley – The Confidence Player

For Zak Crawley, Hayden expressed admiration and concern. Crawley’s technique is elegant, but his decision-making fluctuates. When he is confident, he looks unstoppable. When he doubts himself, he becomes vulnerable to simple mistakes.

Key points Hayden highlighted

• Crawley’s reach and tall stature give him advantage against bounce.
• But the same height creates gaps in his defence when he plays loosely.
• Australia will continue testing him with seam movement and good lengths.

Hayden believes Crawley can dominate if he finds consistency, but England must help him develop a stable defensive game.

Modern Batting Techniques – Hayden’s Perspective

Modern cricket has changed drastically — from T20 innovations to high-scoring trends. Hayden points out that today’s batters rely more on:

• Hand speed
• Wrist work
• Innovative scoring shots
• Power-based hitting
• Compact footwork

However, Hayden fears that too much T20 influence can harm Test-match stability. He stresses that Test cricket still rewards patience, proper shot selection, and old-school discipline.Mathew

“Modern cricket is exciting, but Test cricket punishes shortcuts,” Hayden says. Mathew

Why Hayden’s Analysis Matters

Hayden is not just another commentator. He was one of the most dominant Test openers in cricket history. His understanding of:

• reading bowlers,
• adapting to conditions,
• building big innings, and
• playing long formats

makes his insights extremely valuable.

When he talks about Root, Brook, and Crawley, he speaks from the perspective of someone who battled legendary attacks and mastered pressure situations.

Key Points From Hayden’s Analysis