Latest news with #MatthewHayden
News.com.au
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Aussie presenter Grace Hayden returns serve on nepo-baby critics
When you're the son or daughter of a famous figure and start to make a name for yourself, nepotism claims are going to be following close behind. Grace Hayden knows that all too well. The daughter of Australian cricket legend Matthew Hayden, Grace has been shining brightly on her own path for several years in the media ranks. Despite that, social media criticism can be seen far and wide anytime she appears on a television screen. The 23-year-old knows that some doors have been opened thanks to her dad, but how she's reached this point in her career hasn't been a simple stroll in the park … she's put in the hard yards and is now crafting her own journey. 'I am somewhat living in dad's footsteps, but I feel like I'm creating and paving my own path while still respecting dad's legacy,' Grace said to 'I'm just doing it my own way. I think that's the most important thing is making it my own. And you know what people want to say about nepotism all the time, right? And yes, I'm going to own the fact that yep, it opens doors for sure. 'But you do have to work really hard to stay in a job … It doesn't matter if you're a child of someone or you're a partner of someone, you still have to work bloody hard to earn your stripes in anything you might do.' And she has a simple message to those who will continue to sit back and paint her with the nepo-baby tag. 'I say thank you and move on,' she said. 'I just don't see it as a hate comment. I'm like, you can call me a nepo-baby, go for it. Thank you for saying that to me because I am one of the most competitive people of all time. 'I grew up as an athlete myself playing every sport under the sun, I was sports girl of the year most years at my school in Brisbane. 'I just loved it so anything that people give me a challenge on, I'm like, you know what? Game on. And that's the perfect name of my podcast Game on with Grace. 'It's like I love a bit of a competition. I love a challenge. So, if people want to give me hate comments, go for it.' In today's day and age, social media backlash has become an all too common occurrence with hate comments flooding in at a rapid rate. Having grown up on the world's stage, Grace was brought up with one simple mindset that she continues to maintain throughout it all. 'Keep your family close. Your family know who you are. Your friends know who you are. The rest don't matter,' she said. 'As long as you're checking in with the people that you care about and that care about you and they're giving you honest feedback … which definitely in my family and my mates that's definitely an open door in terms of criticism. 'But it's always you know those people that you lean on rather than listening to the white noise 'Not every single person is going to like you in this world. And you know what? I'm okay with that. 'As long as my family know who I am and my friends know who I am and they can sense check me. I'm right.' Grace's media career continues to go from strength to strength and it reached new heights behind the launch of her podcast with US streaming service Willow. The biweekly series will see her host candid conversations with athletes and artists. The latest venture comes after she worked for broadcaster Star India throughout the Indian Premier League. She has also featured as a fashion expert and roving reporter with Channel 7's horse racing coverage, and she worked alongside her father with the Disney-Star network during the 2023 ODI World Cup in India. In January this year she joined digital sport platform Racing X as the new face of the Hong Kong-based international racing content operation. After making her network debut with Channel 7 in 2022, Grace's star is on the rise with her new venture the latest stepping stone as she quickly becomes one of the most popular presenters in Australian sport.
Telegraph
a day ago
- Sport
- Telegraph
Ben Stokes' handshake antics show why other teams hate England
England's sullen and ungracious conduct at the end of an Old Trafford Test match they dominated served up easy half volleys for their critics, quick to leap on perceived double standards. But it also gave England a glimpse of what awaits in Australia. The headlines overnight said it all: Spare us the whinging England, Moral hypocrites England decide tons are anti-cricket and Spirit of what? How pompous England exposed Bazball's great double standard. Meanwhile, Australia has some thoughts... #ENGvIND #AUSvENG — Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) July 28, 2025 A familiar storm is gathering and England gave it plenty of energy. A barrage of this stuff awaits in November, more so than any Ashes tour since 2013-14 when Alastair Cook's team were the first to follow the 2010-11 winners. Then Kevin Pietersen and Stuart Broad were public enemies No 1 and No 2. This time it will be Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. The Australians respect Stokes but fear what he can do. McCullum they see as someone who always failed on their turf when it mattered. There is nothing England can do to prevent the inevitable attacks, but they can at least make them harder to justify. What England did on Sunday night was lame but the theory that Indian teams play for personal milestones is one shared by Australia. In fact, England's reaction was very Australian. Matthew Hayden once picked up on the 'milestone culture' in Indian cricket. 'We don't really play for stats. We play for wins. That's the Aussie way,' said Steve Waugh, but it could just as easily have been Stokes. England's mistake was making it look petty rather than pointed. 'I thought England behaved badly' @NHoultCricket gives his thoughts on England's behaviour during their draw with India in the fourth test Watch the Telegraph Cricket Podcast ⬇️ — Telegraph Cricket (@TeleCricket) July 28, 2025 Managing individuals is part of a captain's job. Shubman Gill recognised the importance of a maiden Test hundred for Washington Sundar and the great spade work Ravi Jadeja put in for his team throughout the series. He also revelled in sticking up two fingers at England after how they finished the Lord's Test. But England are not a pompous bunch, they are generally great ambassadors for the sport. It is only this summer we have really heard them say anything on the field. They showed a mean side at Lord's after deciding they had been too nice for too long and it served them well. In Manchester, they learnt they need to be better at picking their moments. It is one thing to try to unsettle opponents by playing hard, another to be boorish and look like sore losers. Would Stokes have hauled Jacob Bethell off had he been close to a maiden century or Joe Root in sight of his first in Australia? Currently, the verbals do not quite align with this team. It appears somewhat performative rather than natural. 'I had plenty to say when I played – and copped plenty back,'' said Mitchell Johnson. 'But that came with a bit of purpose. Sledging only works when you are dominating. And to be honest, right now England aren't. Their Bazball model has some punch but it's flimsy when conditions swing or spin. So maybe talking tough is a cover. A bit of theatre while they figure out the actual cricket.'' Bazball has been modified this summer but still has to prove itself in tough batting conditions. India's rearguard highlighted England's weakness. When presented with the challenge of batting for 108 overs at Edgbaston, they were all out inside 69, losing by 336 runs. Jamie Smith was caught on the boundary going for a third six in an over, a shot that showed England were still unwilling to change tack or simply did not know how to play the situation because of how they regard draws. That is what they can take out of the Old Trafford Test. Because they have seen how wound up they were by a team frustrating the hell out of them. It can make a draw feel like a win.
Daily Mail
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Glamorous cricket commentator Grace Hayden kicks off her new career with a VERY risque revelation about her legendary dad stripping naked on a tour
Cricket commentator Grace Hayden has been taking the broadcasting world by storm and has just embarked on her latest venture. She is the daughter of legendary Australian cricket superstar, Matthew Hayden, and has spent the last year working for Star Sports on their coverage of the Indian Premier League, Channel 7's horse racing and the GT20 in Canada. The 23-year-old has now made her podcasting debut, launching her own series on Willow TV, entitled Game On with Grace Hayden, and welcomed a very special guest for the first episode. She was joined by her dad's old team-mate and fellow Aussie cricket legend Adam Gilchrist, with the pair going on to recount some of the wicketkeeper's greatest and funniest stories from his time playing with the Test side between 1999 and 2008. And it is no surprise that Hayden's dad, Matthew, featured in one of Gilly's funniest stories, a yarn that Grace later admitted her mother hates. The Aussie Test side had just won a match in Cape Town in South Africa. They had gone into the dressing room to perform the customary team song. But things escalated as Gilchrist admitted that the team decided to 'take things off-piste'. Hayden has been taking the broadcasting world by storm and has just embarked on her latest venture 'We ended up going off to the cable car in Cape Town, up to Table Mountain,' Gilchrist explained to the Game On with Grace Hayden podcast. 'Some [players] were in the cable car, others were on the roof of the cable car, which OH&S wouldn't have a great time with. Asked who got on top of the car, Gilly revealed: 'Well, one M. Hayden was on top of there and not only that, but he decided to drop a nude bomb. 'So he's basically stark naked with an Aussie flag draping around his neck. 'So, think Leonardo DiCaprio at the front of the Titanic... That was his 'king of the world' type moment.' Speaking to Perth Now, Grace revealed another funny aspect of the story. 'Mum absolutely despises that,' she told the outlet. 'She was pregnant with the youngest back at home. But honestly, what goes on on tour, I think, should stay behind closed doors. 'Thank goodness there were no cell phones and video footage of that one,' she joked. Grace spoke affectionately of her father, one of the Australian cricket team's great larrikins. While many remember his sensational and ruthless ability to slog cricket balls with the bat, Grace admits her dad has a softer side. '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 explained to Perth Now. The emerging Aussie presenter explained to the outlet that her new podcast hopes to take a deep dive behind the scenes at the lives of much loved and revered Australian athletes. '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,' she added. The glamorous TV presenter also has an eye for fashion, but admitted that she and her dad don't quite agree when it comes to his outfit choices. Matthew is known for sporting his now iconic cowboy hat when he makes an appearance on TV. And that is the one thing Grace says they can agree on. Hayden landed one of the biggest breaks of her budding TV career this year, working as a presenter for Star Sports' coverage of the Indian Premier League 'Fashion isn't the thing that we see eye to eye on,' she said. 'I actually like the big hat on Dad. I think it suits him.' During the podcast, Gilchrist also praised that group of players, not only for talent, but for the bond they all shared during those long tours. 'That was a team that knew they had something unique by way of skill level and achievement. But maintained a sense of humour throughout,' he added. He also revealed a touching story about how he arrived later than the rest of the squad at the 2007 Cricket World Cup in the Carribbean. He had flown out after having become a dad but admitted he was 'pretty flat' having to leave his partner and the baby behind. 'I was starting to question [whether] I should be there. The first night I found a quiet little beach bar, I had a beer, and as you do, you celebrate your little stogie. But I took a companion with me and that happened to be your old man,' he told Grace. 'Of course,' she replied. 'We've all celebrated all our children pretty well,' Gilchrist added. 'But moments like that, just sitting and talking. She has recently been spending time in Italy on vacation with her boyfriend Wilson Statham (right) and several other friends 'I ended up in tears about how emotional I was. Just leaning on those around you. 'The next night I went and did the same. He came again. And then the next night, until the point where John Buchanan said: 'Righto, Gilly come here. Are you ready to get into this World Cup now?' And I think I asked him for one more night.' He revealed they got their extra night out, but he added he 'wasn't the one lone ranger. I think everyone came along and we had a nice blowout'.
Perth Now
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Aus cricket great's daughter spills crazy untold team story
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.
West Australian
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Grace Hayden: Adam Gilchrist reveals hilarious story about Matthew Hayden on Game On with Grace podcast
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.' 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. 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 form 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... which, 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 bond continue 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. 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. '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.
