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Ultimately, the very celebration was flawless, under lights under that unique vivid blue southern sky, within the tumult of the match situation – hyper Baz energy, England’s lower order scything away death cult-style at the other end.

So yeah. All that stuff. In the middle, Joe Root eased the ball away to fine leg to complete his maiden Test hundred in Australia.

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

A Milestone Preserved in Its Own Light

A batsman who already had thirty-nine hundreds in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now scored his fortieth. But, trace the story, the artistry, the twists and turns.

There will, of course, be much discussion material to be resolved. Is Joe Root finally great? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

But there is something deeper about wanting Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about one-upmanship. Every Australian who knows about cricket is well aware Root is a exceptional cricketer.

The Captain's Hundred as a Solid Handhold

This ton felt meaningful in other ways, especially as something tangible in the series for this team, a anchor 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 authentically tough conditions, an innings that may have saved his team in this series.

It began with the wings already falling off, and England’s key batter coming out at 5/2. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Middle

As the day progressed, England were in a reasonable position. Two examples of elite Yorkshire grit at the crease.

On one side, Root was playing his natural game, easy, graceful, watchful. Meanwhile, 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 building up for the key spell of the day.

A Costly Stroke

Do you run towards this danger? Yep. No settling in, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

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

It was at least novel in its abjectness. We have seen England bat in Australia like a rusted machine. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Quiet Response

Therefore one half of this England team kept faltering, while at the other end Root batted for survival, but for the entire innings.

Root provided his own subtle correction, a triumph for diligence, correcting your flaws.

England are still in this series because he did the thing, delivered a lesson in what talent ultimately means.

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