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Ultimately, the very celebration was flawless, under lights under that unique intense blue southern sky, within the tumult of the game-state – manic Baz energy, England’s lower order swinging freely in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

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

However, for those who understand, the significance is clear. Imagine trying to explain the reason this was more than heartwarming, inspiring and cathartic, but profoundly significant.

An Achievement Caught in Time

A batsman who already had thirty-nine hundreds in this traditional format of a sport has now scored his 40th. However, trace the journey, the artistry, the jags in the road.

There will, of course, be plenty of discussion material to be resolved. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

But there is something deeper about wishing for Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about one-upmanship. Every Australian who cares for cricket is well aware Root is a world-class cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Solid Anchor

Root’s hundred felt meaningful in other ways, particularly as something solid in the series for this team, a handhold in the ice.

Can England secure victory 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 superb one in authentically tough conditions, an innings that may have saved his team in this series.

It had to start with the early wickets tumbling, and England’s greatest modern player coming out at a dire 5 for 2. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Middle

In the afternoon session, England were 175 for three. Two examples of elite Yorkshire batting at the crease.

At one end, Root was exuding calm, easy, graceful, alert. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

Throughout, a darkness was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and Mitchell Starc building up for the key spell of the day.

A Reckless Stroke

Do you run towards this danger? Yep. No settling in, no feet. Just a flash of the bat first up.

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

It was, if nothing else, novel in its utter failure. We have seen England bat in Australia like a rusted machine. This was Brook as the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Quiet Response

Therefore one half of this England team persisted in failing, while at the other end Root batted not just for his life, but for the entire innings.

He delivered his own masterful response, a victory for preparation, addressing your flaws.

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

Can they dismiss Australia? Will they adapt? Not sure. But Joe Root did score a hundred.