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In the end, even the celebration was perfect, on the field under that unique intense blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the match situation – manic Baz energy, England’s lower order cutting loose with reckless abandon at the other end.

So yeah. All that stuff. At the heart, the former captain steered the ball away to fine leg to complete his maiden Test hundred in Australia.

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

A Milestone Caught in Its Own Light

A man who already possessed thirty-nine centuries in this traditional format of a sport has now scored his fortieth. However, follow the story, the skill, the setbacks.

There will, of course, be plenty of banter-war material to be hashed out. Is Joe Root finally great? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

But there is something further about wanting Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about one-upmanship. Every Australian who understands cricket is well aware Root is a great cricketer.

The Captain's Hundred as a Sturdy Anchor

The century felt meaningful in other ways, especially as something concrete in the series for this team, a handhold in the ice.

Will England triumph 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 5/2. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Crease

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

At one end, Root was simply being himself, easy, lithe, alert. 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 pivotal spell of the day.

A Reckless Choice

Is it wise to challenge this? Yep. No settling in, no feet. Just a flash of the bat first up.

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

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

Root's Steady Answer

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

He delivered his own masterful response, a success for diligence, working at your flaws.

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

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