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In the end, the very celebration was flawless, on the field under that unusual vivid blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the game-state – manic Baz energy, England’s lower order swinging freely in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. At the heart, the former captain guided the ball away to fine leg to notch his first Test hundred in Australia.

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

A Milestone Preserved in Its Own Light

A batsman who already possessed 39 centuries in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now compiled his fortieth. However, follow the story, the skill, the setbacks.

There'll, of course, be a lot of discussion material to be resolved. Is Joe Root finally great? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

Yet there exists something more about wishing for Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about point-scoring. Every Australian who knows about cricket is well aware Root is a exceptional cricketer.

Root's Century as a Reliable Foundation

Root’s hundred felt important in other ways, particularly as something solid in the series for this team, a foothold in the ice.

Can England secure victory at the Gabba? Uncertain. But Joe Root got a hundred. Was Harry Brook's dismissal the poorest shot? Yes. He did.

This was not merely a hundred in Australia, but a brilliant one in genuinely tough conditions, an innings that may have saved his team in this series.

It had to start with the wings already falling off, and England’s key batter coming out at a dire 5 for 2. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Dichotomy in the Middle

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

On one side, Root was exuding calm, relaxed, lithe, watchful. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

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

A Reckless Stroke

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

The delivery to Brook was full-length, the edge clear. There is no world where this was a sensible choice.

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

The Veteran's Silent Rebuke

Therefore one half of this England team persisted in failing, while at the other end Root batted for survival, but for the entire innings.

Root provided his own subtle correction, a victory for doing your homework, correcting your flaws.

The tourists are still in this series because he achieved the milestone, provided a lesson in what skill truly means.

Are they going to bowl Australia out? Are they going to learn? Not sure. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.