🔗 Share this article

Ultimately, the very celebration was flawless, out there under that unusual deep-blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the contest – frantic Baz energy, England’s lower order cutting loose death cult-style at the other end.

Right. All that drama. 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. Imagine trying to explain why this was more than warm, inspiring and cleansing, but subtly monumental.

An Achievement Frozen in Time

A player who already had 39 tons in this traditional format of a sport has now scored his fortieth. Yet, consider the story, the skill, the twists and turns.

There will, of course, be much discussion talk to be resolved. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

But there is something more about wishing for Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning rivalry. Any Australian who understands cricket is well aware Root is a great cricketer.

Root's Hundred as a Sturdy Anchor

Root’s hundred felt significant in other ways, especially as something solid in the series for this team, a foothold in the ice.

Are England going to win at the Gabba? Don’t know. 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 brilliant one in truly tough conditions, an innings that could have saved his team in this series.

It had to start with the team in deep trouble, and England’s greatest modern player coming out at 5/2. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Crease

In the afternoon session, England were in a reasonable position. Two versions of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

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

All the while, a dusk was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and the swing maestro revving up for the crucial spell of the day.

A Reckless Stroke

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

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

It was at least novel in its utter failure. We have seen England bat in Australia without fluidity. Now Brook presented the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Steady Answer

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

He delivered his own subtle correction, a triumph for diligence, working at your flaws.

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

Will they take twenty wickets? Will they adapt? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root did score a hundred.