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Finally, even the celebration was flawless, out there under that unusual vivid blue southern sky, within the tumult of the contest – hyper Baz energy, England’s lower order scything away in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

Right. All that drama. In the middle, Joe Root guided the ball away past fine leg to complete his long-awaited Test hundred in Australia.

Yet, the true meaning resonates with those who have followed the journey. Imagine trying to explain why this was more than heartwarming, inspiring and cleansing, but subtly monumental.

A Milestone Caught in Time

A player who already possessed thirty-nine tons in this traditional format of a sport has now registered his 40th. But, consider the narrative, the craft, the setbacks.

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

But there is something further about wishing for Root to be great in Australia. It isn't regarding rivalry. Any Australian who understands cricket recognizes Root is a great cricketer.

Root's Hundred as a Sturdy Foundation

Root’s hundred felt meaningful in other ways, not least as something concrete in the series for this team, a anchor in the difficulty.

Are England going to win at the Gabba? It's unclear. But Joe Root got a hundred. Did Harry Brook play... the worst shot yet? Yes. He did.

And not just a hundred in Australia, but a superb one in genuinely 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 premier batsman coming out at two wickets down for five runs. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Dichotomy in the Middle

As the day progressed, England were 175 for three. Two versions of elite Yorkshire batting 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 revving up for the key spell of the day.

A Damaging Stroke

Should one attack this threat? Yes. No settling in, no feet. Just throw the hands at it first up.

The ball to Brook was full-length, the edge clear. There is no scenario where this was a smart choice.

It was, if nothing else, novel in its utter failure. We've witnessed England bat in Australia like the Tin Man. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Steady Response

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

He offered his own masterful response, a triumph for doing your homework, correcting your flaws.

England are still in this series because he scaled the peak, provided a lesson in what ability in the end means.

Are they going to bowl Australia out? Can they evolve? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root did score a hundred.