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Ultimately, even the celebration was flawless, out there under that strange deep-blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the game-state – frantic Baz energy, the English lower order cutting loose with reckless abandon at the other end.

Right. All that drama. Amidst it all, the veteran batsman guided the ball away through fine leg to secure his long-awaited Test hundred in Australia.

However, for those who understand, the significance is clear. Picture trying to explain the reason this was more than warm, inspiring and cleansing, but subtly monumental.

A Milestone Caught in Time

A batsman who already possessed 39 centuries in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now registered his fortieth. Yet, trace the narrative, the skill, the setbacks.

There'll, of course, be much banter-war talk to be settled. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Is he *Australian* great?

But there is something deeper about wanting Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning rivalry. Any Australian who knows about cricket already knows Root is a exceptional cricketer.

Root's Hundred as a Reliable Foundation

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

Will England triumph at the Gabba? It's unclear. 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 outstanding one in truly tough conditions, an innings that may have saved his team in this series.

The innings commenced with the early wickets tumbling, and England’s key batter coming out at 5/2. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Crease

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

At one end, Root was playing his natural game, relaxed, lithe, watchful. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

All the while, a dusk was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and Mitchell Starc building up for the key spell of the day.

A Costly Stroke

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

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

It was at least 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.

Root's Steady Answer

Therefore one half of this England team kept faltering, while at the other end Root batted for survival, but for everyone else’s too.

Root provided his own quiet rebuke, a success for doing your homework, addressing your flaws.

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

Are they going to bowl Australia out? Are they going to learn? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root did score a hundred.