🔗 Share this article

Finally, even the celebration was perfect, out there under that unusual vivid blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the game-state – frantic Baz energy, the English lower order cutting loose death cult-style at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. Amidst it all, the veteran batsman steered the ball away to fine leg to secure his maiden Test hundred in Australia.

Yet, the true meaning resonates with those who have followed the journey. Imagine trying to explain the reason this was more than warm, inspiring and cathartic, but subtly monumental.

An Achievement Frozen in Time

A player who already had 39 hundreds in this traditional format of a sport has now registered his 40th. Yet, trace the narrative, the craft, the setbacks.

There'll, of course, be plenty of debate stuff to be hashed out. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Is he *Australian* great?

However, there is something more about wishing for Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about point-scoring. Every Australian who understands cricket already knows Root is a exceptional cricketer.

The Captain's Hundred as a Reliable Handhold

This ton felt important in other ways, particularly as something concrete in the series for this team, a anchor in the ice.

Will England triumph at the Gabba? Don’t know. 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 truly tough conditions, an innings that might just have saved his team in this series.

The innings commenced with the early wickets tumbling, and England’s greatest modern player coming out at a dire 5 for 2. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Crease

In the afternoon session, England were 3/175. Two versions of elite Yorkshire grit at the crease.

On one side, Root was exuding calm, easy, lithe, watchful. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

Meanwhile, a darkness was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and the pink ball genius preparing for the crucial spell of the day.

A Damaging Choice

Should one attack this threat? Yep. No sighters, no feet. Just a flash of the bat 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 have seen England bat in Australia without fluidity. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Steady Rebuke

And so one half of this England team continued to collapse, while at the other end Root batted not just for his life, but for everyone else’s too.

He offered his own masterful response, a triumph for preparation, addressing your flaws.

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

Are they going to bowl Australia out? Are they going to learn? Uncertain. But Joe Root made a hundred.