Hayden Grace is a brilliant rising cricket star. From her early exposure to cricket tours and stadium life to her on-screen debut with Star Sports in 2023, Grace has steadily built her presence across various platforms.
She has since become a recognizable face in sports media, anchoring high-profile tournaments. At just 22 years old, this rising star is making significant waves in the sporting media landscape.
In this article, we explore everything you need to know about Hayden Grace, from her upbringing in a cricketing household to her emergence as a versatile sports presenter, digital media creator, and international broadcaster.
Who Is Grace Hayden?
Grace Hayden is an Australian sports presenter and content creator. She is known for her work in sports media and her involvement in major events like the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the T20 World Cup. Grace is the daughter of former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden.
Growing up, she was immersed in professional cricket. She spent time in dressing rooms, stadiums, and on team travels, experiences most children see only on TV. This childhood provided her with a unique perspective on elite sports from an early age.
This table breaks down the essential details about Grace Hayden, giving readers a clear snapshot of who she is and how her career has evolved.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Grace Hayden |
| Date of birth | 21 June 2002 |
| Family | Daughter of Matthew Hayden; eldest of three siblings |
| Profession | Sports presenter / broadcaster / content creator |
| Media debut | 2023, with Star Sports (cricket coverage) |
| Recent role | Lead presenter at Racing X (digital sports platform) from 2025 |
| Other work | Horse‑racing coverage, international sports reporting, global events |
| Public image | Youthful, energetic, stylish, culturally versatile; open to speaking about issues women in the media face. |
It outlines her background, including her birth date (21 June 2002) and her position as the eldest child of former Australian opener Matthew Hayden, while also tracing her rise in sports media.
Early Life
Grace took a different path than many sports kids who become cricketers. She chose to focus on media and broadcasting instead. Her family life and experiences in high-pressure environments helped build her confidence and make her comfortable on camera.
Before starting her formal broadcasting career, Grace appeared in small digital segments, family videos, and behind-the-scenes content. These experiences helped her feel at ease in front of the camera.
Grace Hayden’s Bond With Her Father
She worked alongside her famous father during the recent Border-Gavaskar series. While Matthew was a member of Seven’s commentary team, Grace was reporting from the ground for the Indian network Star Sports.
While she respects and honours her father’s legacy, she deliberately builds her own path — in racing, digital media, and global sports coverage. Her bond with Matthew seems to offer emotional grounding rather than a shadow to step out of.
Grace Hayden: Early Media Rise And Global Breakthrough
Grace is the eldest daughter of Matthew Hayden, a famous Australian cricketer. She grew up in stadiums, dressing rooms, and on tours, where she saw how professional sports and the media work together.
In this table, we outline Grace Hayden’s early media rise and key breakthrough moments across cricket and other sports.
| Area | Key Facts |
|---|---|
| Grace Hayden’s Journey Beyond Cricket Broadcasting (2020–22) | Built early cricket content. |
| Breakthrough in Broadcasting (2023) | Joined Star Sports during IPL & World Cup; major visibility boost. |
| Global Growth (2024–25) | Featured on international platforms. |
It highlights her start in horse-racing media, her breakthrough in cricket broadcasting during the 2023 IPL and World Cup, and her expansion into international sports coverage by 2025.
A Breakthrough Year: Grace Hayden’s 2023 Media Debut
Her moment of triumph arrived in 2023 when she took her place at Star Sports amidst a whirlwind cricket season. With the IPL and World Cup captivating a vast English-speaking audience, her vibrant and dynamic approach quickly garnered attention.
Rather than delivering information in a dry, lecture-like manner, she develops a genuine connection with her audience, an essential quality in the fast-evolving landscape of sports broadcasting today.
Grace Hayden’s Journey Beyond Cricket Broadcasting
Before focusing on cricket broadcasting, Grace got recognition as an ambassador for horse-racing events. In 2022 she served as the “Oaks Day Ambassador” for Channel 7’s coverage of a major Australian racing event.
During the Spring Carnival, she worked as a fashion reporter with Kate Waterhouse. While cricket remains core, Grace has not limited herself to just one sport. She worked with Channel 7 in Australia for horse‑racing coverage.
Her aspirations evolved quickly. By 2025, she moved into a lead presenting role at Racing X, a digital sports platform with a growing following in the UK. This shift showed her ambition to expand beyond cricket while keeping her roots in sports storytelling.
Growing Global Media Presence By 2025
By 2025, she had secured a significant role with the global digital sports platform Racing X. This move expanded her scope beyond cricket into international sports media, lifestyle, and global coverage.
Grace Hayden had moved far beyond the label of a newcomer in sports media and established herself as a recognisable on-screen presence across multiple countries. Her on-air appearances during the 2023 IPL and World Cup period marked her first significant exposure to international cricket audiences.
Grace’s growing global presence was marked by heightened social media engagement, with her clips featured at major events. Each appearance highlighted her efforts to build an international media career on her own terms, rather than just continuing a family legacy.
This transition proved that she wasn’t relying solely on her cricket background. Instead, she was carving out a broader media identity by covering racing events, international sports features, and digital-first sports storytelling, the formats that younger English fans now consume most.
The Hayden-Root Ashes Controversy
Matthew Hayden recently caused a buzz before the 2025–26 Ashes series by saying that if Joe Root didn’t score a century in Australia, he would walk naked around the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). His daughter Grace asked Root to “make a hundred” to prevent her father from going through with his promise.
When Root finally scored a century in the second Test at the Gabba, Grace took to social media to share her relief and thankfulness. She joked that she would “disown” her father if he ever made that kind of promise again and thanked Root for “saving all our eyes.”
From Screen To Podcast: Grace Hayden’s Digital Debut
In 2025, Grace Hayden started Game On with Grace, which was Willow TV’s first original podcast and its first move into digital media. The show airs every two weeks and features honest conversations with athletes and artists, sharing untold stories from sports and entertainment.
In her first episode, Grace included a funny story from cricket legend Adam Gilchrist, who shared a memory about her father, Matthew Hayden, from his playing days. This gave listeners a unique look at life beyond the game.
Willow executives praised Grace as an “authentic voice.” They highlighted her ability to connect with both lifelong cricket fans and newcomers to the sport. The podcast helped her establish herself as a versatile media personality, bridging traditional broadcasting with modern digital platforms.
What Sets Grace Hayden Apart And Makes Her Shine
It shows how she merges her cricket heritage with a distinct media identity, showcases versatility across multiple sports, communicates in a contemporary and globally aware manner, and balances youthful charisma with professionalism.
In this table, we highlight the key qualities that make Grace Hayden apart.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Heritage with Independence | Daughter of Matthew Hayden, but built her own media identity. |
| Multi-Sport Versatility | Covers cricket, horse-racing, and digital sports; appeals to global audiences. |
| Modern, Globally Aware Style | Conversational, approachable; engages younger, digitally active viewers. |
| Youthful Charisma & Professionalism | Balances traditional commentary with modern broadcasting style. |
She has a unique on-screen presence that is warm and engaging. This quality connects with viewers and shows her understanding of global issues. These traits make her a relatable sports presenter for a diverse, worldwide audience.
For English viewers who are used to experienced presenters, Grace offers a refreshing mix of her background and modern media style.
Milestones In Media and Sport: Grace Hayden’s Recent Achievements
Grace Hayden became well-known for her roles as a horse-racing ambassador. She hosted the 2025 Delhi Premier League, which reached over 500 million viewers. She also celebrated her father’s induction into the ICC Hall of Fame, combining her professional work with a personal touch.
In this section, we highlight Grace Hayden’s most recent achievements across sports and media from 2024 to 2025.
| Role / Event | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Horse-Racing Ambassador (2024–2025) | Represented major races; Golden Eagle Ambassador; partnered with Australian Turf Club. |
| Cricket Anchor: Delhi Premier League (Aug 2025) | Official face of DPL; reached 500M+ viewers. |
| ICC Hall of Fame Tribute (2025) | Honoured her father; reinforced her own identity. |
- She often attended major racing events like the Magic Millions on the Gold Coast, the Hobart and Launceston Cups with TAS Racing, and the Longines Golden Slipper. In 2024, she became the Golden Eagle Ambassador and formed a long-term partnership with the Australian Turf Club.
- In 2024 and 2025, she was named the Birdsville Races Ambassador, boosting her profile in the Outback. Organizers praised her for bringing style, knowledge, and Queensland pride to one of Australia’s most iconic races.
- In August 2025, Hayden became the official anchor of the Delhi Premier League (DPL), making her a key figure in the tournament. Her role in the DPL highlighted her status as one of cricket’s notable new personalities, reaching over 500 million viewers worldwide.
- After her father was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2025, she shared an emotional public tribute. This revealed her personal side and the importance of family values, deepening her connection to cricket heritage while establishing her own identity.
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Conclusion – Grace Hayden Is a Modern, Cross-Cultural Voice In Sports Media
Grace Hayden has created her own unique identity in sports media, stepping confidently away from her father’s cricketing legacy. She is now a globally recognized presenter who brings fresh energy to the field.
Grace represents a new generation of cricket presenters. She connects her background and expertise with a global perspective, changing what it means to be in sports broadcasting.
Grace is more than a presenter, she conveys stories and promotes inclusivity across cultures. Her passion for making cricket and sports accessible to everyone has reached a wider audience, showing the changing face of sports media in exciting ways.
FAQs
Grace Hayden is an Australian sports presenter, broadcaster, and content creator, known for her work in cricket, horse-racing, and digital media. She is the eldest daughter of former Australian opener Matthew Hayden.
She began in horse-racing media, serving as an ambassador for major events like the Golden Eagle and Birdsville Races before debuting in cricket broadcasting with Star Sports in 2023.
Grace has anchored tournaments such as the Delhi Premier League (DPL), hosted her digital podcast Game On with Grace, and currently serves as lead presenter for the global sports platform Racing X.
She combines heritage, multi-sport versatility, and a modern, globally aware style. Her conversational approach engages both traditional cricket fans and younger, digitally active audiences.
Yes, in 2025, she launched Game On with Grace, Willow TV’s first original podcast, featuring candid interviews with athletes and artists.
