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In the end, the moment of celebration was flawless, out there under that unique intense blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the match situation – hyper Baz energy, England’s lower order swinging freely with reckless abandon at the other end.

Right. All that drama. At the heart, the veteran batsman eased the ball away through fine leg to complete his long-awaited Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Picture trying to explain the reason this was not just warm, uplifting and cathartic, but profoundly significant.

A Moment Preserved in Its Own Light

A player who already possessed 39 centuries in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now compiled his fortieth. Yet, follow the journey, the skill, the jags in the road.

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

Yet there exists something further about wishing for Root to be great in Australia. It isn't regarding rivalry. Any Australian who understands cricket recognizes Root is a exceptional cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Sturdy Anchor

Root’s hundred felt meaningful in other ways, not least as something solid in the series for this team, a anchor in the difficulty.

Are England going to win at the Gabba? It's unclear. 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 outstanding one in authentically tough conditions, an innings that may have saved his team in this series.

It had to start with the early wickets tumbling, and England’s premier batsman coming out at a dire 5 for 2. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Crease

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

At one end, Root was simply being himself, easy, lithe, alert. 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 building up for the pivotal spell of the day.

A Damaging Stroke

Is it wise to challenge this? Yes. No settling in, no feet. Just throw the hands at it first up.

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

It was at least novel in its abjectness. We have seen England bat in Australia like the Tin Man. This was Brook as the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Steady Answer

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

He offered 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 talent truly means.

Will they take twenty wickets? Are they going to learn? Not sure. But Joe Root made a hundred.