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Finally, even the celebration was ideal, under lights under that unique intense blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the contest – hyper Baz energy, England’s lower order swinging freely with reckless abandon at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. Amidst it all, Joe Root eased the ball away past fine leg to secure his long-awaited 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 cleansing, but quietly epic.

An Achievement Frozen in Time

A batsman who already had 39 centuries in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now registered his fortieth. However, trace the story, the skill, the setbacks.

There'll, of course, be a lot of banter-war talk to be hashed out. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

However, there is something deeper about wanting Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about one-upmanship. Every Australian who understands cricket recognizes Root is a great 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 foothold in the glacier.

Will England triumph at the Gabba? Uncertain. But Joe Root got a hundred. Did Harry Brook produce a disastrous stroke? Yes. He did.

This was not merely a hundred in Australia, but a superb one in truly tough conditions, an innings that may have saved his team in this series.

The innings commenced with the wings already falling off, and England’s premier batsman coming out at a dire 5 for 2. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Dichotomy in the Crease

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

On one side, Root was simply being himself, easy, graceful, watchful. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

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

A Reckless Stroke

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

The delivery to Brook was full-length, the edge healthy. 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. This was Brook as the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Silent Rebuke

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

He offered his own masterful response, a victory for preparation, working at your flaws.

The tourists are still in this series because he did the thing, offered a lesson in what ability in the end means.

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