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Finally, even the celebration was flawless, out there under that unusual vivid blue southern sky, within the tumult of the game-state – frantic Baz energy, England’s lower order cutting loose with reckless abandon at the other end.

So yeah. All that stuff. At the heart, the veteran batsman eased the ball away past fine leg to secure his first Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Consider trying to explain the reason this was not just warm, uplifting and cleansing, but subtly monumental.

An Achievement Caught in Its Own Light

A player who already had thirty-nine centuries in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now compiled his fortieth. Yet, trace the journey, the craft, the jags in the road.

There will, of course, be much debate material to be resolved. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

But there is something further about wanting Root to be great in Australia. It isn't regarding point-scoring. Any Australian who knows about cricket is well aware Root is a exceptional cricketer.

The Captain's Hundred as a Reliable Handhold

The century felt important in other ways, particularly as something solid in the series for this team, a anchor in the difficulty.

Are England going to win 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 truly tough conditions, an innings that may have saved his team in this series.

The innings commenced with the early wickets tumbling, and England’s key batter coming out at two wickets down for five runs. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Dichotomy in the Middle

By mid-afternoon, England were in a reasonable position. Two versions of elite Yorkshire batting at the crease.

On one side, Root was simply being himself, easy, lithe, watchful. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

Meanwhile, a gloom was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and the pink ball genius revving up for the crucial spell of the day.

A Reckless Decision

Is it wise to challenge this? Apparently so. No settling in, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

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

It was at least novel in its complete misjudgment. We've witnessed England bat in Australia without fluidity. Now Brook presented the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Steady Response

Thus one half of this England team kept faltering, while at the other end Root batted for survival, but for the entire innings.

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

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

Are they going to bowl Australia out? Are they going to learn? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root made a hundred.