🔗 Share this article

Finally, the moment of celebration was flawless, on the field under that unusual deep-blue southern sky, within the tumult of the match situation – manic Baz energy, the English lower order cutting loose death cult-style at the other end.

Right. All that drama. In the middle, the former captain guided the ball away to 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, uplifting and cleansing, but profoundly significant.

A Milestone Frozen in Its Own Light

A batsman who already possessed thirty-nine centuries in this traditional format of a sport has now scored his fortieth. But, consider the narrative, the artistry, the setbacks.

There'll, of course, be plenty of debate stuff to be hashed out. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

But there is something more about wishing for Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning point-scoring. Every Australian who cares for cricket is well aware Root is a great cricketer.

The Captain's Hundred as a Reliable Handhold

This ton felt significant in other ways, not least as something tangible in the series for this team, a handhold in the difficulty.

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 superb one in authentically tough conditions, an innings that might just have saved his team in this series.

It had to start with the wings already falling off, and England’s premier batsman coming out at two wickets down for five runs. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Dichotomy in the Middle

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

At one end, Root was simply being himself, easy, graceful, alert. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

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

A Damaging Decision

Is it wise to challenge this? Yes. No sighters, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

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

It was, if nothing else, novel in its abjectness. We've witnessed England bat in Australia like the Tin Man. This was Brook as the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Quiet Rebuke

And so one half of this England team kept faltering, while at the other end Root batted not just for his life, but for the entire innings.

He offered his own masterful response, a victory for diligence, working at your flaws.

England are still in this series because he did the thing, offered a lesson in what skill in the end means.

Are they going to bowl Australia out? Can they evolve? Not sure. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.