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In the end, the very celebration was perfect, on the field under that strange deep-blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the match situation – frantic Baz energy, England’s lower order cutting loose with reckless abandon at the other end.

So yeah. All that stuff. Amidst it all, the former captain steered the ball away past fine leg to complete his first Test hundred in Australia.

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

A Moment Preserved in Time

A player who already possessed thirty-nine centuries in this traditional format of a sport has now registered his fortieth. However, consider the journey, the craft, the twists and turns.

There'll, of course, be a lot of debate talk to be settled. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

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

Root's Century as a Solid Foundation

This ton felt meaningful in other ways, not least as something tangible in the series for this team, a foothold in the ice.

Are England going to win at the Gabba? Uncertain. But Joe Root got a hundred. Was Harry Brook's dismissal the poorest shot? Yes. He did.

And not just a hundred in Australia, but a superb one in genuinely 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 3/175. Two examples of elite Yorkshire batting at the crease.

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

Throughout, a gloom was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and the pink ball genius building up for the pivotal spell of the day.

A Reckless Decision

Is it wise to challenge this? Yes. No settling in, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

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

It was at least 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 Quiet Response

And so one half of this England team kept faltering, while at the other end Root batted for survival, but for the team's cause.

He delivered his own quiet rebuke, a triumph for preparation, addressing your flaws.

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

Can they dismiss Australia? Are they going to learn? Uncertain. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.