🔗 Share this article

Finally, the very celebration was perfect, under lights under that unique vivid blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the match situation – manic Baz energy, England’s 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 through fine leg to notch his long-awaited Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Imagine trying to explain the reason this was more than heartwarming, inspiring and cleansing, but profoundly significant.

A Milestone Preserved in Time

A man who already possessed thirty-nine centuries in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now registered his fortieth. However, trace the journey, the craft, the setbacks.

There'll, of course, be a lot of discussion stuff to be resolved. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

However, there is something further about wanting Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning one-upmanship. Any Australian who cares for cricket already knows Root is a exceptional cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Reliable Handhold

This ton felt meaningful in other ways, particularly as something tangible in the series for this team, a handhold in the ice.

Will England triumph at the Gabba? Don’t know. 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 brilliant one in authentically tough conditions, an innings that may have saved his team in this series.

It had to start with the team in deep trouble, and England’s key batter coming out at two wickets down for five runs. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Dichotomy in the Middle

As the day progressed, England were 3/175. Two versions of elite Yorkshire batting at the crease.

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

Meanwhile, a gloom was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and the swing maestro building up for the pivotal spell of the day.

A Costly Stroke

Should one attack this threat? Yes. No sighters, no feet. Just throw the hands at it 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 a rusted machine. Now Brook presented the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Steady Response

Thus one half of this England team kept faltering, while at the other end Root batted not just for his life, but for the team's cause.

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

England are still in this series because he achieved the milestone, offered a lesson in what talent in the end means.

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