Grace Hayden has pushed back against online criticism of her outfit choices while working as a cricket presenter, saying the sexualisation of women “just doing their job” is an ongoing problem.
The 23-year-old, who has worked with Star Sports and presented coverage of high-profile tournaments including the Indian Premier League, told Sydney Confidential that social media can bring praise as well as “the unfortunate side” where people comment on appearance rather than performance. One critic on Instagram had written, “This is the cricket, not a catwalk,” after Hayden posted photos showing her figure.
"As a young woman, the sexualisation of anyone just doing their job continues to happen sadly and again, is never OK," Hayden said. "With every job there is good and bad, and being a presenter is no different. Whether it be comments on your performance or ability – there will always be someone expressing their thoughts about you without knowing you."
Hayden has steadily built a profile in sports media independent of her father, former Australia opener Matthew Hayden, who played for the national side from 1993 to 2009 and is regarded as one of the country’s leading batters. She has more than 440,000 followers on Instagram and has regularly appeared alongside her father in promotional photos and broadcast work.
Her most visible broadcast role came during the Indian Premier League, where her station’s transmissions drew audiences measured in the hundreds of millions over the course of the competition. Hayden said she embraces the visibility that comes with presenting while acknowledging the scrutiny it invites.
In recent months Hayden has also launched a video podcast, Game On With Grace, produced in partnership with Willow. She described the series as an effort to “pull back the curtain on the world of sports” and to introduce cricket to a broader U.S. audience by focusing on stories that happen off camera. The podcast’s debut guest was Adam Gilchrist, the former Australia wicketkeeper-batsman.
"I grew up in cricket's front row and have covered its biggest tournaments, but the moments that fascinate me most happen off camera," Hayden said of the podcast. She said the show will feature “raw, funny, and inspiring conversations with athletes, artists, and anyone chasing greatness,” and will be available on the Willow app and other podcast platforms.
Cricket has long struggled to gain mainstream traction in the United States, and Hayden framed her podcast as a media-savvy attempt to highlight the sport’s global appeal and human stories to new audiences. The move reflects a broader trend of sports presenters and former athletes creating direct-to-consumer audio and video content to reach international fans.
Hayden’s comments on social media criticism come amid ongoing debates within sports media about the treatment of women on and off camera. Advocates and industry figures have repeatedly called attention to the sexualisation and harassment faced by female presenters, athletes and officials, and have urged platforms and employers to take stronger measures to protect and support staff.
Hayden said she focuses on the positive aspects of her role and the opportunities it presents, while remaining realistic about the negative feedback that accompanies public exposure. She continues to work across broadcast assignments and promote her podcast as part of her expanding career in sports media.