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In the end, even the celebration was ideal, under lights under that strange intense blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the match situation – hyper Baz energy, the English lower order scything away with reckless abandon at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. Amidst it all, Joe Root eased the ball away through fine leg to secure his long-awaited Test hundred in Australia.

However, for those who understand, the significance is clear. Imagine trying to explain the reason this was more than heartwarming, inspiring and cathartic, but subtly monumental.

A Milestone Caught in Its Own Light

A player who already had 39 centuries in this traditional format of a sport has now compiled his 40th. However, consider the story, the artistry, the setbacks.

There will, of course, be much banter-war material to be resolved. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

Yet there exists something deeper about wanting Root to be great in Australia. It isn't regarding point-scoring. Every Australian who understands cricket already knows Root is a world-class cricketer.

The Captain's Hundred as a Solid Handhold

The century felt significant in other ways, particularly as something solid in the series for this team, a handhold in the ice.

Are England going to win at the Gabba? It's unclear. 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 superb one in authentically tough conditions, an innings that could have saved his team in this series.

It began with the early wickets tumbling, and England’s premier batsman coming out at two wickets down for five runs. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Middle

By mid-afternoon, England were 175 for three. Two versions of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

At one end, Root was exuding calm, relaxed, lithe, alert. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

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

A Damaging Decision

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

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

It was, if nothing else, novel in its abjectness. We've witnessed England bat in Australia like a rusted machine. Now Brook presented the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root'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.

Root provided his own subtle correction, a victory for diligence, addressing your flaws.

England are still in this series because he did the thing, offered a lesson in what ability in the end means.

Will they take twenty wickets? Can they evolve? Not sure. But Joe Root made a hundred.