🔗 Share this article

Finally, the moment of celebration was perfect, on the field under that strange deep-blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the game-state – frantic Baz energy, England’s lower order cutting loose death cult-style at the other end.

Right. All that drama. In the middle, the former captain eased the ball away through fine leg to complete his long-awaited Test hundred in Australia.

However, for those who understand, the significance is clear. Picture trying to explain why this was more than heartwarming, uplifting and cleansing, but subtly monumental.

An Achievement Caught in Its Own Light

A man who already possessed 39 centuries in this traditional format of a sport has now registered his fortieth. Yet, follow the narrative, the craft, the setbacks.

There will, of course, be much debate material to be hashed out. Is Joe Root finally great? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

But there is something further about wanting Root to be great in Australia. It isn't regarding one-upmanship. Every Australian who cares for cricket is well aware Root is a great cricketer.

Root's Century as a Reliable Handhold

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

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.

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

It began with the wings already falling off, and England’s greatest modern player coming out at two wickets down for five runs. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Middle

By mid-afternoon, England were in a reasonable position. Two examples of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

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

Throughout, a gloom was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and Mitchell Starc building up for the crucial spell of the day.

A Damaging Choice

Should one attack this threat? Yes. No sighters, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

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

It was, if nothing else, novel in its utter failure. We've witnessed England bat in Australia like the Tin Man. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Steady Response

And so one half of this England team kept faltering, while at the other end Root batted for survival, but for everyone else’s too.

He delivered his own quiet rebuke, a success for preparation, correcting your flaws.

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

Will they take twenty wickets? Can they evolve? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.