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Ultimately, the moment of celebration was ideal, under lights under that unusual vivid blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the contest – manic Baz energy, England’s lower order swinging freely with reckless abandon at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. Amidst it all, the former captain eased the ball away through fine leg to notch his first Test hundred in Australia.

Yet, the true meaning resonates with those who have followed the journey. Imagine trying to explain why this was not just heartwarming, uplifting and cathartic, but subtly monumental.

A Moment Frozen in Its Own Light

A man who already had 39 centuries in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now registered his 40th. However, follow the journey, the skill, the twists and turns.

There'll, of course, be much discussion stuff to be resolved. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Is he *Australian* great?

But there is something more about wanting Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning one-upmanship. Any Australian who understands cricket recognizes 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 tangible in the series for this team, a handhold 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.

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

The innings commenced with the early wickets tumbling, and England’s key batter coming out at 5/2. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Middle

As the day progressed, England were 3/175. Two versions of elite Yorkshire grit at the crease.

At one end, Root was playing his natural game, easy, lithe, alert. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

Meanwhile, a gloom was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and the swing maestro revving up for the crucial spell of the day.

A Costly Decision

Do you run towards this danger? Apparently so. No sighters, no feet. Just throw the hands at it first up.

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

It was at least novel in its abjectness. We've witnessed England bat in Australia like the Tin Man. This was Brook as the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Silent Answer

Thus one half of this England team persisted in failing, while at the other end Root batted for survival, but for the entire innings.

Root provided his own subtle correction, a triumph for diligence, correcting your flaws.

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

Will they take twenty wickets? Can they evolve? Not sure. But Joe Root made a hundred.