🔗 Share this article

Finally, the moment of celebration was flawless, under lights under that unique deep-blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the contest – frantic Baz energy, England’s lower order cutting loose death cult-style at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. At the heart, the veteran batsman eased the ball away past 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 the reason this was more than heartwarming, inspiring and cleansing, but quietly epic.

An Achievement Preserved in Time

A player who already possessed 39 tons in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now compiled his fortieth. Yet, follow the story, the skill, the setbacks.

There'll, of course, be much debate material to be resolved. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Is he *Australian* great?

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

The Captain's Hundred as a Solid Handhold

Root’s hundred felt important in other ways, particularly as something solid in the series for this team, a foothold in the difficulty.

Will England triumph at the Gabba? Uncertain. 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 superb one in truly tough conditions, an innings that may 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 a dire 5 for 2. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Dichotomy in the Middle

As the day progressed, England were in a reasonable position. Two embodiments of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

At one end, Root was exuding calm, easy, graceful, alert. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

Meanwhile, a darkness was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and Mitchell Starc revving up for the key spell of the day.

A Reckless Stroke

Should one attack this threat? Yep. No sighters, no feet. Just throw the hands at it first up.

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

It was, if nothing else, novel in its abjectness. We have seen England bat in Australia like the Tin Man. Now Brook presented the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Steady Answer

And so 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.

Root provided his own subtle correction, a victory for preparation, addressing your flaws.

The tourists are still in this series because he scaled the peak, provided a lesson in what skill in the end means.

Can they dismiss Australia? Can they evolve? Uncertain. But Joe Root did score a hundred.