🔗 Share this article

Finally, the very celebration was perfect, out there under that unique deep-blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the game-state – frantic Baz energy, England’s lower order scything away death cult-style at the other end.

So yeah. All that stuff. Amidst it all, the former captain eased the ball away past fine leg to complete his long-awaited Test hundred in Australia.

Yet, the true meaning resonates with those who have followed the journey. Consider trying to explain why this was more than warm, uplifting and cathartic, but quietly epic.

An Achievement Preserved in Its Own Light

A batsman who already possessed 39 centuries in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now compiled his fortieth. However, follow the narrative, the skill, the setbacks.

There'll, of course, be a lot of discussion talk to be hashed out. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

But there is something more about wanting Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning one-upmanship. Every Australian who understands cricket already knows Root is a great cricketer.

Root's Hundred as a Sturdy Handhold

The century felt meaningful in other ways, especially as something solid in the series for this team, a foothold in the glacier.

Are England going to win at the Gabba? Uncertain. But Joe Root got a hundred. Did Harry Brook produce a disastrous stroke? Yes. He did.

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

The innings commenced with the team in deep trouble, and England’s greatest modern player coming out at two wickets down for five runs. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Crease

By mid-afternoon, England were in a reasonable position. Two versions of elite Yorkshire grit at the crease.

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

Throughout, a darkness was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and the pink ball genius revving up for the key spell of the day.

A Costly Decision

Do you run towards this danger? Yep. No settling in, no feet. Just throw the hands at it first up.

The ball to Brook was full-length, the edge clear. There is no world where this was a smart 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.

The Veteran's Quiet Answer

Thus one half of this England team kept faltering, while at the other end Root batted for survival, but for everyone else’s too.

He offered his own masterful response, a triumph for diligence, addressing your flaws.

The tourists are still in this series because he achieved the milestone, delivered a lesson in what skill ultimately means.

Can they dismiss Australia? Can they evolve? Not sure. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.