🔗 Share this article

Ultimately, the moment of celebration was perfect, under lights under that strange vivid blue southern sky, within the tumult of the contest – manic Baz energy, England’s lower order scything away death cult-style at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. In the middle, the former captain eased the ball away past fine leg to complete his first Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Consider trying to explain why this was more than heartwarming, uplifting and cathartic, but subtly monumental.

A Moment Frozen in Its Own Light

A batsman who already possessed thirty-nine centuries in this traditional format of a sport has now compiled his 40th. Yet, consider the journey, the craft, the setbacks.

There'll, of course, be plenty of banter-war talk to be hashed out. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

However, there is something deeper about wanting Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about rivalry. Any Australian who understands cricket already knows Root is a exceptional cricketer.

Root's Hundred as a Solid Foundation

This ton felt significant in other ways, particularly as something solid in the series for this team, a anchor in the glacier.

Can England secure victory 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 truly tough conditions, an innings that might just have saved his team in this series.

It had to start with the early wickets tumbling, and England’s key batter coming out at 5/2. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Middle

By mid-afternoon, England were 175 for three. Two versions of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

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

Meanwhile, a gloom was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and the pink ball genius preparing for the crucial spell of the day.

A Damaging Stroke

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

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

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

The Veteran's Quiet Response

Thus one half of this England team persisted in failing, while at the other end Root batted for survival, but for the team's cause.

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

The tourists are still in this series because he did the thing, offered a lesson in what skill truly means.

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