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Finally, the very celebration was flawless, out there under that strange intense blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the game-state – hyper Baz energy, England’s lower order swinging freely with reckless abandon at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. Amidst it all, the veteran batsman steered the ball away through fine leg to complete his first Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Consider trying to explain why this was more than warm, uplifting and cleansing, but profoundly significant.

An Achievement Caught in Time

A batsman who already possessed 39 centuries in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now compiled his fortieth. Yet, follow the journey, the artistry, the jags in the road.

There'll, of course, be much debate stuff to be resolved. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Is he *Australian* great?

But there is something deeper about wanting Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about rivalry. Every Australian who cares for cricket recognizes Root is a exceptional cricketer.

Root's Hundred as a Sturdy Handhold

Root’s hundred felt meaningful in other ways, not least as something concrete in the series for this team, a foothold in the difficulty.

Can England secure victory at the Gabba? Uncertain. But Joe Root got a hundred. Did Harry Brook produce a disastrous stroke? Yes. He did.

This was not merely a hundred in Australia, but a superb one in truly tough conditions, an innings that could have saved his team in this series.

It began with the wings already falling off, and England’s key batter coming out at 5/2. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Crease

By mid-afternoon, England were 3/175. Two versions of elite Yorkshire batting at the crease.

At one end, Root was exuding calm, easy, lithe, alert. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

All the while, a darkness was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and the pink ball genius preparing for the key spell of the day.

A Damaging Choice

Is it wise to challenge this? Yep. No settling in, no feet. Just a flash of the bat first up.

The delivery to Brook was full, the edge clear. There is no world where this was a sensible choice.

It was at least novel in its abjectness. We've witnessed England bat in Australia like the Tin Man. This was Brook as the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Steady Answer

Therefore one half of this England team persisted in failing, while at the other end Root batted for survival, but for the entire innings.

He offered his own quiet rebuke, a triumph for diligence, correcting your flaws.

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

Can they dismiss Australia? Can they evolve? Uncertain. But Joe Root made a hundred.