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Finally, even the celebration was ideal, under lights under that unusual intense blue southern sky, within the tumult of the game-state – manic Baz energy, England’s lower order cutting loose death cult-style at the other end.

So yeah. All that stuff. In the middle, the former captain eased the ball away through fine leg to secure his long-awaited Test hundred in Australia.

However, for those who understand, the significance is clear. Consider trying to explain why this was more than warm, inspiring and cleansing, but quietly epic.

A Moment Caught in Time

A man who already possessed 39 tons in this traditional format of a sport has now scored his 40th. But, follow the narrative, the artistry, the setbacks.

There will, of course, be a lot of debate material to be settled. Is Joe Root finally great? Is he *Australian* great?

But there is something more about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning one-upmanship. Any Australian who cares for cricket recognizes Root is a world-class cricketer.

The Captain's Hundred as a Reliable Handhold

The century felt significant in other ways, particularly as something concrete in the series for this team, a anchor in the difficulty.

Can England secure victory at the Gabba? Don’t know. But Joe Root got a hundred. Was Harry Brook's dismissal the poorest shot? Yes. He did.

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

The innings commenced with the wings already falling off, and England’s key batter coming out at 5/2. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Dichotomy in the Crease

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

On one side, Root was playing his natural game, easy, lithe, watchful. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

Throughout, a darkness was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and Mitchell Starc preparing for the crucial spell of the day.

A Reckless Choice

Do you run towards this danger? Apparently so. No sighters, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

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

It was, if nothing else, novel in its utter failure. We have seen England bat in Australia without fluidity. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Steady Answer

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

He delivered his own masterful response, a success for diligence, addressing your flaws.

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

Will they take twenty wickets? Are they going to learn? Uncertain. But Joe Root did score a hundred.