🔗 Share this article

Finally, even the celebration was ideal, under lights under that unique deep-blue southern sky, within the tumult of the game-state – manic Baz energy, the English lower order scything away death cult-style at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. Amidst it all, the former captain steered the ball away through fine leg to secure 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 subtly monumental.

A Moment Frozen in Its Own Light

A batsman who already had thirty-nine tons in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now scored his fortieth. Yet, follow the journey, the artistry, the setbacks.

There'll, of course, be much banter-war talk to be hashed out. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

Yet there exists something further about wishing for Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning point-scoring. Every Australian who knows about cricket recognizes Root is a great cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Reliable Foundation

Root’s hundred felt important in other ways, not least as something solid in the series for this team, a foothold in the ice.

Will England triumph at the Gabba? It's unclear. 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 outstanding one in authentically tough conditions, an innings that might just have saved his team in this series.

It began with the team in deep trouble, and England’s premier batsman coming out at a dire 5 for 2. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Middle

As the day progressed, England were 175 for three. Two embodiments of elite Yorkshire grit at the crease.

At one end, Root was exuding calm, relaxed, graceful, watchful. 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 Mitchell Starc building up for the crucial spell of the day.

A Damaging Decision

Is it wise to challenge this? Yep. No sighters, no feet. Just a flash of the bat first up.

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

It was, if nothing else, novel in its complete misjudgment. We've witnessed England bat in Australia like a rusted machine. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Quiet Answer

Thus one half of this England team persisted in failing, while at the other end Root batted not just for his life, but for everyone else’s too.

Root provided his own masterful response, a victory for doing your homework, correcting your flaws.

England are still in this series because he did the thing, delivered a lesson in what skill in the end means.

Can they dismiss Australia? Can they evolve? Not sure. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.