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Finally, the moment of celebration was perfect, under lights under that unusual vivid blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the game-state – frantic Baz energy, the English lower order swinging freely in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

So yeah. All that stuff. In the middle, Joe Root steered the ball away past fine leg to complete his first Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Picture trying to explain why this was more than warm, uplifting and cathartic, but quietly epic.

A Moment Frozen in Its Own Light

A batsman who already had thirty-nine centuries in this traditional format of a sport has now compiled his 40th. Yet, trace the narrative, the skill, the setbacks.

There'll, of course, be a lot of discussion talk to be settled. Is Joe Root finally great? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

But there is something deeper about wanting Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning point-scoring. Every Australian who understands cricket recognizes Root is a great cricketer.

Root's Hundred as a Solid Handhold

This ton felt meaningful in other ways, especially as something tangible in the series for this team, a foothold in the difficulty.

Can England secure victory at the Gabba? Uncertain. But Joe Root got a hundred. Did Harry Brook play... the worst shot yet? Yes. He did.

And not just a hundred in Australia, but a superb one in truly tough conditions, an innings that could have saved his team in this series.

It had to start with the team in deep trouble, and England’s premier batsman coming out at two wickets down for five runs. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Crease

By mid-afternoon, England were in a reasonable position. Two examples of elite Yorkshire grit at the crease.

At one end, Root was exuding calm, easy, graceful, watchful. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

Throughout, a dusk was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and Mitchell Starc preparing for the pivotal spell of the day.

A Damaging Choice

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

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

It was, if nothing else, novel in its utter failure. We've witnessed England bat in Australia without fluidity. This was Brook as the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Steady Response

Therefore one half of this England team persisted in failing, while at the other end Root batted with immense resolve, but for everyone else’s too.

He delivered his own quiet rebuke, a triumph for doing your homework, correcting your flaws.

The tourists are still in this series because he did the thing, delivered a lesson in what talent ultimately means.

Are they going to bowl Australia out? Will they adapt? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.