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Ultimately, the very celebration was ideal, on the field under that strange deep-blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the game-state – manic Baz energy, the English lower order scything away death cult-style at the other end.

Right. All that drama. In the middle, Joe Root steered the ball away past fine leg to secure his maiden Test hundred in Australia.

However, for those who understand, the significance is clear. Imagine trying to explain why this was not just heartwarming, uplifting and cleansing, but profoundly significant.

An Achievement Preserved in Its Own Light

A batsman who already had thirty-nine centuries in this traditional format of a sport has now registered his fortieth. But, trace the narrative, the skill, the twists and turns.

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

But there is something more about hoping for 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 Foundation

This ton felt important in other ways, especially as something solid in the series for this team, a anchor in the ice.

Are England going to win at the Gabba? Don’t know. 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 genuinely tough conditions, an innings that may have saved his team in this series.

The innings commenced with the early wickets tumbling, and England’s key batter coming out at two wickets down for five runs. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Dichotomy in the Crease

As the day progressed, England were in a reasonable position. Two embodiments of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

On one side, 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 revving up for the crucial spell of the day.

A Damaging Decision

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

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

It was, if nothing else, novel in its complete misjudgment. We have seen England bat in Australia without fluidity. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Quiet Response

And so one half of this England team continued to collapse, while at the other end Root batted with immense resolve, but for the entire innings.

He offered his own quiet rebuke, a victory for doing your homework, correcting your flaws.

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

Will they take twenty wickets? Are they going to learn? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root made a hundred.