Grace Hayden set to tackle cricket in the USA with a new podcast

A decade after Matthew Hayden played in an All Stars match that took cricket to America, now his daughter, Grace, will do so in her own way.

Grace Hayden is set to help cricket crack its grand, elusive frontier - the United States of America.

The 23-year-old daughter of Test opener Matthew will host a video podcast, Game On With Grace, to be streamed via the Willow network, the premier destination for cricket in the United States.

The first guest on the show, which will air weekly from Sunday on the network’s 24 hour channel, will be keeping great Adam Gilchrist.

“Game On is about pulling back the curtain on the world of sports’ untold stories,” said Grace, who has worked on the Indian Premier League and with Channel 7 in Australia.

“I grew up in cricket’s front row and have covered its biggest tournaments, but the moments that fascinate me most happen off camera.

Grace Hayden will launch a new show titled ‘Game On with Grace.’ Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“Partnering with Willow allows me to share those raw, funny, and inspiring conversations with athletes, artists, and anyone chasing greatness. I can’t wait to bring these stories to fans each week on the Willow app and wherever they listen to podcasts.”

Game On With Grace will be Willow’s first original series.

“Launching Willow’s first original series is an important step in expanding how we serve and grow the cricket community,” said Willow chief executive Todd Myers.

“Grace’s knowledge of the game, combined with a confident on-screen presence, makes her a uniquely powerful and authentic voice as the host of Game On with Grace. This podcast will bring authenticity, energy, and a fresh voice that will resonate with both long time cricket fans and newcomers alike.”

Cricket has long craved to crack the giant but conservative United States sports market and is, at last, making small but significant inroads.

Major League Cricket, a T20 competition, was set up in 2023 and, supported by the likes of Ricky Ponting, Pat Cummins and Faf du Plessis, is steadily gaining momentum.

The USA were co-hosts of last year’s T20 World Cup.

The first international cricket game was between Canada and the United States in 1844 in New York but both countries were late seduced by baseball.

Originally published as Grace Hayden set to tackle cricket in the USA with a new podcast