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Ultimately, the moment of celebration was ideal, under lights under that strange intense blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the contest – frantic Baz energy, the English lower order cutting loose with reckless abandon at the other end.

Right. All that drama. Amidst it all, the veteran batsman steered the ball away past fine leg to secure his long-awaited Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Consider trying to explain why this was not just heartwarming, inspiring and cathartic, but profoundly significant.

A Moment Preserved in Its Own Light

A batsman who already had thirty-nine tons in this traditional format of a sport has now scored his 40th. But, consider the story, the skill, the setbacks.

There will, of course, be much banter-war material to be resolved. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

However, there is something more about wanting Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning rivalry. Any Australian who understands cricket recognizes Root is a exceptional cricketer.

Root's Hundred as a Reliable Anchor

This ton felt important in other ways, not least as something concrete in the series for this team, a foothold in the difficulty.

Will England triumph at the Gabba? Don’t know. But Joe Root got a hundred. Was Harry Brook's dismissal the poorest shot? Yes. He did.

This was not merely a hundred in Australia, but a brilliant one in truly tough conditions, an innings that might just 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 Juxtaposition in the Crease

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

At one end, Root was simply being himself, easy, graceful, watchful. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

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

A Reckless Stroke

Should one attack this threat? Yes. No sighters, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

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

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

Root's Steady Rebuke

Therefore one half of this England team kept faltering, while at the other end Root batted with immense resolve, but for the entire innings.

He delivered his own quiet rebuke, a victory for preparation, correcting your flaws.

The tourists are still in this series because he achieved the milestone, offered a lesson in what skill truly means.

Will they take twenty wickets? Will they adapt? Not sure. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.