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In the end, the moment of celebration was perfect, under lights under that unique intense blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the match situation – hyper Baz energy, the English lower order cutting loose with reckless abandon at the other end.

Right. All that drama. Amidst it all, the veteran batsman steered the ball away through fine leg to complete his first Test hundred in Australia.

However, for those who understand, the significance is clear. Picture trying to explain why this was more than heartwarming, inspiring and cleansing, but quietly epic.

A Moment Caught in Time

A player who already had thirty-nine tons in this traditional format of a sport has now registered his 40th. However, consider the story, the artistry, the setbacks.

There will, of course, be plenty of debate talk to be hashed out. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Is he *Australian* great?

However, there is something deeper about wanting Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning rivalry. Any Australian who knows about cricket is well aware Root is a exceptional cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Solid Handhold

Root’s hundred felt significant in other ways, not least as something solid in the series for this team, a handhold in the glacier.

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 brilliant one in authentically tough conditions, an innings that might just have saved his team in this series.

It had to start with the team in deep trouble, and England’s key batter coming out at 5/2. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Dichotomy in the Middle

In the afternoon session, England were 175 for three. Two examples of elite Yorkshire batting at the crease.

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

Throughout, a gloom was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and the pink ball genius building up for the pivotal spell of the day.

A Reckless Stroke

Do you run towards this danger? Yes. No settling in, no feet. Just a flash of the bat first up.

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

It was at least novel in its complete misjudgment. We have seen England bat in Australia like a rusted machine. This was Brook as the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Silent Rebuke

And so one half of this England team kept faltering, while at the other end Root batted with immense resolve, but for everyone else’s too.

He offered his own subtle correction, a triumph for diligence, working at your flaws.

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

Can they dismiss Australia? Are they going to learn? Uncertain. But Joe Root did score a hundred.