🔗 Share this article

In the end, the moment of celebration was perfect, under lights under that strange vivid blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the match situation – hyper Baz energy, the English lower order swinging freely in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. In the middle, Joe Root eased the ball away through fine leg to complete his first Test hundred in Australia.

Yet, the true meaning resonates with those who have followed the journey. Consider trying to explain why this was not just warm, inspiring and cathartic, but quietly epic.

A Moment Frozen in Time

A player who already possessed thirty-nine hundreds in this traditional format of a sport has now registered his fortieth. Yet, consider the narrative, the artistry, the jags in the road.

There'll, of course, be a lot of debate talk to be resolved. Is Joe Root finally great? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

But there is something more about wanting Root to be great in Australia. It isn't regarding point-scoring. Any Australian who understands cricket recognizes Root is a world-class cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Solid Foundation

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

This was not merely a hundred in Australia, but a superb one in truly tough conditions, an innings that may have saved his team in this series.

It began with the early wickets tumbling, and England’s key batter coming out at two wickets down for five runs. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Middle

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

At one end, Root was playing his natural game, relaxed, graceful, watchful. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

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

A Damaging Decision

Should one attack this threat? Yes. No settling in, no feet. Just throw the hands at it first up.

The delivery to Brook was full, the edge thick. There is no world where this was a sensible choice.

It was, if nothing else, novel in its abjectness. We have seen England bat in Australia like a rusted machine. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Silent Answer

Therefore one half of this England team continued to collapse, while at the other end Root batted not just for his life, but for the entire innings.

He offered his own subtle correction, a triumph for preparation, addressing your flaws.

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

Will they take twenty wickets? Can they evolve? Not sure. But Joe Root made a hundred.