🔗 Share this article

Finally, the moment of celebration was flawless, out there under that strange intense blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the game-state – manic Baz energy, England’s lower order scything away death cult-style at the other end.

Right. All that drama. In the middle, Joe Root guided the ball away past fine leg to notch his long-awaited Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Imagine trying to explain why this was more than heartwarming, inspiring and cleansing, but profoundly significant.

A Milestone Frozen in Time

A man who already possessed 39 hundreds in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now scored his fortieth. Yet, trace the journey, the artistry, the twists and turns.

There will, of course, be plenty of discussion material to be resolved. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Is he *Australian* great?

However, there is something further about wanting Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning rivalry. Every Australian who knows about cricket already knows Root is a world-class cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Reliable Foundation

This ton felt important in other ways, not least as something concrete in the series for this team, a handhold in the ice.

Can England secure victory at the Gabba? Don’t know. But Joe Root got a hundred. Was Harry Brook's dismissal the poorest shot? Yes. He did.

This was not merely a hundred in Australia, but a outstanding one in genuinely tough conditions, an innings that might just have saved his team in this series.

It began with the team in deep trouble, and England’s key batter coming out at two wickets down for five runs. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Middle

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

On one side, Root was playing his natural game, relaxed, lithe, alert. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

Meanwhile, a gloom was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and the swing maestro preparing for the key spell of the day.

A Costly Choice

Is it wise to challenge this? Yes. No settling in, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

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

It was, if nothing else, novel in its utter failure. We have seen England bat in Australia like the Tin Man. Now Brook presented the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Steady Rebuke

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

Root provided his own masterful response, a victory for preparation, addressing your flaws.

The tourists are still in this series because he scaled the peak, provided a lesson in what ability truly means.

Will they take twenty wickets? Can they evolve? Not sure. But Joe Root made a hundred.