Grace Hayden, one of cricket broadcasting’s fastest-rising faces, marked her return from ILT20 duties with a warm, festive family gathering alongside her father, Australian great Matthew Hayden. Social media quickly lit up with images of the joyful reunion, blending holiday cheer with a touch of cricketing heritage.
Sports presenter Grace Hayden reunites with her father after UAE stint
The pictures – widely reshared by fan pages – show Grace and Matthew beaming together, capturing a relaxed, celebratory mood after weeks on the road.
Grace recently concluded a prominent presenting role during the ILT20 Season 4 in the UAE, where she featured extensively at matches involving the Dubai Capitals. Broadcasting from the Dubai International Stadium, she impressed viewers with confident analysis, smooth delivery and an easy rapport with players and pundits.
Her tournament posts drew thousands of likes, with fans praising her polished on-air presence and distinctive style. Photos from matchdays – often featuring elegant cream and white outfits -earned particular attention, including a popular “Lady in White” look that circulated widely during the league’s latter stages.
Grace’s Instagram stories charted the transition from tournament grind to holiday mode. Posts from the airport hinted at excitement about heading home, followed by celebratory captions such as “Let the holidays begin.” She also thanked the league publicly, tagging ILT20 with a message of appreciation: “Thank you for having me… you were a blast!”
Those posts set the scene for the family celebration that followed, as Grace reconnected with loved ones after weeks abroad.
Matthew Hayden’s influence on Grace
Beyond the festive photos, Grace has often spoken about the influence of father Matthew on her professional growth. In recent ILT20 reflections, she revealed that Matthew’s feedback sometimes blunt – has been instrumental in sharpening her craft as a presenter. Speaking to Khaleej Times, Grace credited both parents for maintaining strong family connections despite Matthew’s extensive travel during his playing career.
Their easy chemistry is evident in shared content over the years, from birthday tributes – such as Grace’s heartfelt message on Matthew’s 54th – to playful Ashes banter and light-hearted challenges testing each other’s IPL knowledge during Star Sports segments.
Also READ: ILT20 Season 4 – Complete list of presenters and commentators – From Grace Hayden to Mohammad Kaif
While new party images with Matthew are circulating online, fans have also resurfaced older festive moments – most notably a 2005 Australian team Christmas lunch where a young Grace posed with her father at home.
The contrast between this throwback and the recent reunion highlights how far Grace has come, carving her own path in the cricket world while staying closely connected to her roots.
