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Ultimately, the very celebration was ideal, on the field under that strange vivid blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the game-state – frantic Baz energy, England’s lower order swinging freely in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

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

But, then if you know, you know. Picture trying to explain the reason this was not just heartwarming, inspiring and cleansing, but profoundly significant.

A Moment Preserved in Time

A player who already had thirty-nine hundreds in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now compiled his 40th. But, trace the story, the skill, the twists and turns.

There'll, of course, be a lot of banter-war stuff to be resolved. Is Joe Root finally great? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

However, there is something deeper about wanting Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about point-scoring. Any Australian who cares for cricket already knows Root is a world-class cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Solid Anchor

Root’s hundred felt meaningful in other ways, not least as something concrete in the series for this team, a anchor in the ice.

Can England secure victory at the Gabba? It's unclear. 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 outstanding one in truly tough conditions, an innings that might just have saved his team in this series.

It had to start with the team in deep trouble, and England’s key batter coming out at a dire 5 for 2. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Middle

In the afternoon session, England were 175 for three. Two examples of elite Yorkshire grit at the crease.

On one side, Root was playing his natural game, relaxed, lithe, watchful. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

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

A Costly Stroke

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

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

It was at least novel in its utter failure. We've witnessed England bat in Australia without fluidity. This was Brook as the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Quiet Response

Thus one half of this England team continued to collapse, while at the other end Root batted with immense resolve, but for the entire innings.

He delivered his own subtle correction, a victory for diligence, addressing your flaws.

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

Will they take twenty wickets? Are they going to learn? Uncertain. But Joe Root made a hundred.