🔗 Share this article

Finally, the moment of celebration was perfect, out there under that unusual vivid blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the match situation – manic Baz energy, the English lower order scything away death cult-style at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. In the middle, the former captain eased the ball away to fine leg to complete his maiden Test hundred in Australia.

Yet, the true meaning resonates with those who have followed the journey. Imagine trying to explain why this was more than warm, uplifting and cleansing, but profoundly significant.

A Milestone Preserved in Time

A player who already had thirty-nine centuries in this traditional format of a sport has now scored his fortieth. However, consider the story, the skill, the jags in the road.

There'll, of course, be much banter-war stuff to be settled. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

But there is something further about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. It isn't regarding point-scoring. Every Australian who cares for cricket is well aware Root is a great cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Reliable Anchor

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

Are England going to win at the Gabba? Uncertain. 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 superb one in genuinely tough conditions, an innings that might just have saved his team in this series.

It had to start with the early wickets tumbling, and England’s premier batsman coming out at 5/2. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Dichotomy in the Middle

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

At one end, Root was simply being himself, relaxed, graceful, watchful. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

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

A Reckless Decision

Do you run towards this danger? Yep. No settling in, no feet. Just a flash of the bat first up.

The ball to Brook was full-length, the edge healthy. There is no world where this was a good choice.

It was at least novel in its complete misjudgment. We have seen England bat in Australia like a rusted machine. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Steady Rebuke

Therefore one half of this England team kept faltering, while at the other end Root batted for survival, but for the entire innings.

He delivered his own subtle correction, a success for doing your homework, working at your flaws.

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

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