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In the end, the moment of celebration was ideal, out there under that unusual deep-blue southern sky, within the tumult of the game-state – hyper Baz energy, the English lower order cutting loose in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

Right. All that drama. At the heart, the former captain guided the ball away past fine leg to notch his maiden Test hundred in Australia.

Yet, the true meaning resonates with those who have followed the journey. Picture trying to explain why this was more than warm, uplifting and cathartic, but quietly epic.

An Achievement Preserved in Its Own Light

A man who already had 39 tons in this traditional format of a sport has now scored his fortieth. However, consider the journey, the skill, the jags in the road.

There will, of course, be plenty of discussion stuff to be settled. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

Yet there exists something further about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning rivalry. Any Australian who understands cricket is well aware Root is a exceptional cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Sturdy Anchor

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

Can England secure victory at the Gabba? Don’t know. 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 brilliant one in genuinely tough conditions, an innings that could have saved his team in this series.

It had to start with the team in deep trouble, and England’s greatest modern player coming out at a dire 5 for 2. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Middle

As the day progressed, England were 3/175. Two versions of elite Yorkshire grit at the crease.

At one end, Root was exuding calm, easy, lithe, watchful. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

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

A Costly Stroke

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

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

It was, if nothing else, novel in its utter failure. We've witnessed England bat in Australia without fluidity. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Steady Answer

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 masterful response, 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 ability ultimately means.

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