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Finally, the very celebration was flawless, out there under that unusual vivid blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the match situation – frantic Baz energy, England’s lower order swinging freely in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

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

However, for those who understand, the significance is clear. Picture trying to explain why this was more than warm, uplifting and cathartic, but profoundly significant.

A Moment Preserved in Its Own Light

A man who already possessed 39 tons in this traditional format of a sport has now compiled his 40th. However, follow the narrative, the skill, the twists and turns.

There will, of course, be much banter-war stuff to be hashed out. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

But there is something deeper about wanting Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning point-scoring. Every Australian who understands cricket recognizes Root is a exceptional cricketer.

Root's Hundred as a Sturdy Foundation

Root’s hundred felt significant in other ways, not least as something solid in the series for this team, a anchor in the glacier.

Are England going to win at the Gabba? Don’t know. But Joe Root got a hundred. Did Harry Brook produce a disastrous stroke? Yes. He did.

And not just a hundred in Australia, but a superb one in truly tough conditions, an innings that might just have saved his team in this series.

It began with the team in deep trouble, and England’s greatest modern player coming out at 5/2. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Middle

As the day progressed, England were 175 for three. Two embodiments of elite Yorkshire batting at the crease.

On one side, Root was simply being himself, relaxed, graceful, alert. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

Throughout, a gloom was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and Mitchell Starc revving up for the crucial spell of the day.

A Reckless Choice

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 clear. 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 a rusted machine. Now Brook presented the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Silent Answer

Therefore one half of this England team continued to collapse, while at the other end Root batted not just for his life, but for everyone else’s too.

He offered his own masterful response, a triumph for preparation, addressing your flaws.

England are still in this series because he achieved the milestone, offered a lesson in what skill ultimately means.

Can they dismiss Australia? Can they evolve? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root did score a hundred.