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In the end, even the celebration was ideal, on the field under that unique vivid blue southern sky, within the tumult of the match situation – frantic Baz energy, England’s lower order swinging freely in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

So yeah. All that stuff. At the heart, the veteran batsman steered the ball away past fine leg to complete his maiden Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Consider trying to explain the reason this was more than heartwarming, inspiring and cleansing, but subtly monumental.

A Milestone Preserved in Its Own Light

A batsman who already had 39 centuries in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now scored his fortieth. But, follow the journey, the skill, the twists and turns.

There will, of course, be a lot of banter-war stuff to be resolved. Is Joe Root finally great? Is he *Australian* great?

However, there is something deeper about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about one-upmanship. Every Australian who understands cricket already knows Root is a world-class cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Solid Handhold

The century felt important in other ways, particularly as something solid in the series for this team, a foothold in the glacier.

Will England triumph 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.

The innings commenced with the team in deep trouble, and England’s greatest modern player coming out at a dire 5 for 2. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Crease

By mid-afternoon, England were 3/175. Two examples of elite Yorkshire batting at the crease.

At one end, Root was playing his natural game, relaxed, lithe, watchful. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

All the while, a gloom was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and the pink ball genius revving up for the crucial spell of the day.

A Reckless Stroke

Should one attack this threat? Apparently so. No settling in, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

The delivery to Brook was full-length, the edge thick. There is no world where this was a smart choice.

It was at least novel in its complete misjudgment. We've witnessed England bat in Australia like a rusted machine. Now Brook presented the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Quiet Answer

Therefore one half of this England team persisted in failing, while at the other end Root batted with immense resolve, but for the entire innings.

He delivered his own quiet rebuke, a success for preparation, addressing your flaws.

England are still in this series because he achieved the milestone, offered a lesson in what ability truly means.

Can they dismiss Australia? Are they going to learn? Not sure. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.