Aus cricket great's daughter spills crazy untold team story

Perth Now

6 days ago

Raised in the shadow of an Australian cricket great, emerging TV personality Grace Hayden is out to prove she's more than just 'Matthew Hayden's daughter' as she steers her very own sports show for US broadcaster Willow.
Launching her weekly video podcast on Monday morning, titled Game On with Grace, the project continues an upward trajectory for the 23-year-old following stints as a presenter for the IPL, Channel 7's horse racing coverage, and the GT20 Canada.
'We came up with the idea of uncovering and showing a guide to the athletes that we know and love,' she told PerthNow.
'Obviously, we see the records, we see them at their highest. But getting to know them off the field or off the court, and just having a chat and a space to have heart-to-heart conversations and have a laugh, tell some untold stories.' Grace Hayden presenting in India. Credit: Grace Hayden
Pursuing modelling as a teenager, Hayden's love for the spotlight began as a youngster when the cameras chased her family around airports or cricket grounds in the wake of her dad's various accomplishments.
But hardly a slouch on the field, the high-achiever won most sports girl of the year awards in high school and was the 'most competitive person you've ever met'.
However, carrying the burden of her famous name meant the precocious youngster faced more scrutiny than most.
'People always want to have their comment or their say, but, you know, it builds thicker skin, and it teaches you to work hard on your own merit,' she admitted. Grace Hayden flaunts a glamorous look. Credit: Grace Hayden / IG
With trailblazing wicket keeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist as her show's first guest, the host said she could she could never have imagined the revered figures she grew up around would one day spill their private moments on camera to 'little Gracie'.
Because many yarns of yesteryear have not quite enjoyed their full spin, even those involving the debaucherous side to her father.
'Gilly, on the podcast, told a story of, back in South Africa, a World Cup or something that they won, and he (Matthew Hayden) got on top of the gondola (cable car) in Cape Town naked with the Australian flag wrapped around him. So that was a goody,' she laughed.
'Mum absolutely despises that, she was pregnant with the youngest back home. But honestly, what goes on in tour, I think should stay behind closed doors.
'Thank goodness there were no cell phones and video footage of that one.'
The former keeper said players would strengthen their bonds while on tour, and in that instance, they took the team song away from the change room.
'Some were in the cable car, others were on the roof of the cable car... OH&S wouldn't have had a great time,' Gilchrist recalled.
Speaking effusively of her father's relationship with fellow opener Justin Langer, Hayden said it's special to see their connection grow in the years following both of their retirements.
Labelling the West Aussie and her father as an 'unlikely pair' with a good friendship, she explained that another former star-turned-coach has stayed just as tight with her dad.
'Even to this day, they're super close to him, JL and Punter (Ricky Ponting), they're just the deadly trio, we like to call them,' she said.
Hayden said the ferocity with which her father wielded the bat does not match the bubbly and happy-go-lucky approach he has as a broadcaster.
'Obviously, he didn't have that reputation back on the cricket pitch, but anyone who knows him now, he's just a big, soft teddy bear,' she said. Matthew Hayden cradles daughter Grace during his playing career. Credit: Grace Hayden/IG / IG
Enjoying a social following of 300,000, and regularly flaunting her many glamorous looks, the young presenter looks every bit the rising media star.
However, like many children, she doesn't quite agree with the fashion choices of the generation before her.
One point of contention is her dad's larger-than-life hat collection that has caught the eye of fans across the world. And not always for the right reasons.
'Fashion isn't the thing that we see eye to eye on,' she joked, adding, 'I actually like the big hat on Dad. I think it suits him'.
While too young to witness her father's famous knock of 380 at the WACA in 2003, Hayden has enjoyed recent visits to Perth, including her attendance at Mandurah Crab Fest in 2024 with her father who is an avid fisherman.
And she's been twisting the arm of her boyfriend, Wilson Statham, to take her whale shark dark diving up the WA coast when time permits. Wilson Statham and Grace Hayden. Credit: Grace Hayden/IG / IG
'I'm a surfer, so you've kind of got it all,' Hayden said.
'Beautiful beaches, nice wine, beautiful people. But the Crab Fest, it was such a nice community vibe, good food, music. It had it all, really. And in Mandurah, what a spot to be, very lucky.'
Fans can watch Game On with Grace on all major podcast platforms.