🔗 Share this article

In the end, even the celebration was flawless, under lights under that strange vivid blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the contest – frantic Baz energy, England’s lower order cutting loose death cult-style at the other end.

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

But, then if you know, you know. Consider trying to explain why this was not just heartwarming, uplifting and cathartic, but subtly monumental.

An Achievement Frozen in Time

A batsman who already possessed 39 hundreds in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now scored his 40th. Yet, consider the narrative, the artistry, the jags in the road.

There will, of course, be a lot of banter-war material to be resolved. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

Yet there exists something deeper about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning one-upmanship. Every Australian who knows about cricket is well aware Root is a great cricketer.

Root's Century as a Reliable Handhold

Root’s hundred felt important in other ways, particularly as something solid in the series for this team, a anchor in the glacier.

Can England secure victory at the Gabba? Uncertain. 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 brilliant one in genuinely tough conditions, an innings that could have saved his team in this series.

It had to start with the wings already falling off, and England’s key batter coming out at two wickets down for five runs. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Dichotomy in the Middle

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

At one end, Root was simply being himself, easy, lithe, watchful. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

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

A Reckless Decision

Should one attack this threat? Apparently so. No settling in, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

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

It was at least novel in its complete misjudgment. We have seen England bat in Australia like the Tin Man. This was Brook as the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Silent Rebuke

And so one half of this England team persisted in failing, while at the other end Root batted not just for his life, but for the team's cause.

Root provided his own quiet rebuke, a triumph for diligence, correcting your flaws.

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

Are they going to bowl Australia out? Are they going to learn? Not sure. But Joe Root made a hundred.