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Ultimately, the very celebration was perfect, out there under that unusual intense blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the contest – frantic Baz energy, the English lower order cutting loose in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

So yeah. All that stuff. In the middle, the former captain steered the ball away to fine leg to complete his first Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Consider trying to explain why this was not just heartwarming, inspiring and cathartic, but quietly epic.

A Milestone Frozen in Its Own Light

A player who already possessed thirty-nine hundreds in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now compiled his 40th. However, consider the journey, the skill, the twists and turns.

There'll, of course, be a lot of banter-war talk to be hashed out. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

However, there is something deeper about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. It isn't regarding one-upmanship. Any Australian who cares for cricket is well aware Root is a great cricketer.

Root's Hundred as a Reliable Anchor

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

Can England secure victory at the Gabba? Uncertain. But Joe Root got a hundred. Did Harry Brook play... the worst shot yet? Yes. He did.

And not just a hundred in Australia, but a brilliant one in truly tough conditions, an innings that could have saved his team in this series.

The innings commenced with the team in deep trouble, and England’s premier batsman coming out at a dire 5 for 2. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Crease

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

At one end, Root was playing his natural game, relaxed, lithe, watchful. 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 building up for the pivotal spell of the day.

A Reckless Stroke

Should one attack this threat? Yep. No settling in, no feet. Just a flash of the bat first up.

The delivery to Brook was full-length, the edge healthy. There is no context where this was a good choice.

It was, if nothing else, novel in its complete misjudgment. We've witnessed England bat in Australia like the Tin Man. Now Brook presented the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Steady Response

Thus 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 delivered his own subtle correction, a success for preparation, correcting your flaws.

The tourists are still in this series because he scaled the peak, offered a lesson in what skill truly means.

Are they going to bowl Australia out? Are they going to learn? Uncertain. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.