🔗 Share this article

Finally, the moment of celebration was perfect, under lights under that strange intense blue southern sky, within the tumult of the game-state – manic Baz energy, England’s lower order scything away death cult-style at the other end.

So yeah. All that stuff. In the middle, Joe Root steered the ball away past fine leg to notch his first Test hundred in Australia.

Yet, the true meaning resonates with those who have followed the journey. Picture trying to explain why this was not just warm, inspiring and cleansing, but subtly monumental.

A Milestone Caught in Its Own Light

A man who already had 39 tons in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now registered his fortieth. Yet, follow the narrative, the artistry, the setbacks.

There will, of course, be plenty of debate material to be resolved. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

But there is something deeper about wishing for Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning point-scoring. Every Australian who knows about cricket is well aware Root is a exceptional cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Sturdy Foundation

Root’s hundred felt significant in other ways, especially as something solid in the series for this team, a anchor in the glacier.

Will England triumph at the Gabba? Don’t know. But Joe Root got a hundred. Did Harry Brook play... the worst shot yet? Yes. He did.

This was not merely a hundred in Australia, but a outstanding one in genuinely tough conditions, an innings that may have saved his team in this series.

It had to start with the wings already falling off, and England’s key batter coming out at two wickets down for five runs. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Middle

In the afternoon session, England were 175 for three. Two embodiments of elite Yorkshire batting at the crease.

On one side, Root was playing his natural game, relaxed, graceful, alert. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

Meanwhile, a dusk was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and the pink ball genius preparing for the pivotal spell of the day.

A Costly Choice

Is it wise to challenge this? Yep. No settling in, no feet. Just throw the hands at it first up.

The delivery to Brook was full, the edge thick. There is no scenario where this was a good choice.

It was at least novel in its utter failure. We have seen England bat in Australia like the Tin Man. This was Brook as the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Steady Answer

Therefore one half of this England team persisted in failing, while at the other end Root batted not just for his life, but for the entire innings.

He offered his own subtle correction, a success for diligence, addressing your flaws.

The tourists are still in this series because he scaled the peak, delivered a lesson in what talent ultimately means.

Are they going to bowl Australia out? Will they adapt? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root did score a hundred.