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Finally, the very celebration was perfect, on the field under that unusual deep-blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the match situation – manic Baz energy, the English lower order scything away with reckless abandon at the other end.

Right. All that drama. In the middle, the veteran batsman guided the ball away to fine leg to secure his first Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Picture trying to explain why this was more than warm, uplifting and cleansing, but quietly epic.

A Milestone Frozen in Its Own Light

A player who already possessed thirty-nine centuries in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now registered his 40th. However, trace the journey, the artistry, the setbacks.

There will, of course, be a lot of discussion talk to be hashed out. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

But there is something more about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. It isn't regarding point-scoring. Every Australian who cares for cricket is well aware Root is a exceptional cricketer.

The Captain's Hundred as a Solid Handhold

This ton felt significant in other ways, especially as something concrete in the series for this team, a handhold in the ice.

Will England triumph 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 outstanding one in genuinely 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 premier batsman coming out at 5/2. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Dichotomy in the Middle

As the day progressed, England were 3/175. Two embodiments of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

At one end, Root was playing his natural game, relaxed, graceful, alert. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

Meanwhile, a dusk was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and the swing maestro revving up for the pivotal spell of the day.

A Damaging Decision

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

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

It was at least novel in its complete misjudgment. We've witnessed England bat in Australia like the Tin Man. This was Brook as the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Steady Answer

And so one half of this England team kept faltering, while at the other end Root batted not just for his life, but for the team's cause.

Root provided his own masterful response, a triumph for doing your homework, addressing your flaws.

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

Can they dismiss Australia? Are they going to learn? Not sure. But Joe Root made a hundred.