🔗 Share this article

In the end, the very celebration was ideal, out there under that strange intense blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the contest – frantic Baz energy, the English lower order scything away death cult-style at the other end.

Right. All that drama. Amidst it all, the former captain steered 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. Picture trying to explain the reason this was not just warm, inspiring and cathartic, but quietly epic.

An Achievement Caught in Time

A player who already had thirty-nine hundreds in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now scored his 40th. Yet, follow the narrative, the artistry, the jags in the road.

There will, of course, be much banter-war stuff to be settled. Is Joe Root finally great? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

But there is something more about wanting Root to be great in Australia. It isn't regarding rivalry. Every Australian who understands cricket is well aware Root is a great cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Reliable Anchor

The century felt important in other ways, not least as something tangible in the series for this team, a foothold in the glacier.

Will England triumph at the Gabba? It's unclear. 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 superb one in genuinely tough conditions, an innings that might just have saved his team in this series.

It began with the early wickets tumbling, and England’s premier batsman coming out at a dire 5 for 2. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Middle

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

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

All the while, a dusk was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and the swing maestro revving up for the crucial spell of the day.

A Reckless Decision

Should one attack this threat? Yep. No settling in, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

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

It was at least novel in its complete misjudgment. We have seen England bat in Australia like a rusted machine. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Steady Rebuke

Thus one half of this England team persisted in failing, while at the other end Root batted for survival, but for the team's cause.

He delivered his own quiet rebuke, a triumph for preparation, working at your flaws.

England are still in this series because he scaled the peak, delivered a lesson in what ability truly means.

Can they dismiss Australia? Are they going to learn? Uncertain. But Joe Root made a hundred.