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In the end, even the celebration was ideal, out there under that unique vivid blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the game-state – manic Baz energy, England’s lower order swinging freely with reckless abandon at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. Amidst it all, Joe Root eased the ball away to fine leg to complete his maiden Test hundred in Australia.

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

An Achievement Frozen in Its Own Light

A player who already had thirty-nine hundreds in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now compiled his fortieth. Yet, follow the story, the craft, the jags in the road.

There will, of course, be much banter-war material to be settled. Has Joe Root finally achieved 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 rivalry. Any Australian who understands cricket is well aware Root is a world-class cricketer.

The Captain's Hundred as a Sturdy Handhold

This ton felt meaningful in other ways, particularly as something concrete in the series for this team, a foothold in the difficulty.

Are England going to win at the Gabba? Uncertain. But Joe Root got a hundred. Did Harry Brook play... the worst shot yet? Yes. He did.

This was not merely a hundred in Australia, but a brilliant one in genuinely tough conditions, an innings that might just have saved his team in this series.

It had to start with the wings already falling off, and England’s premier batsman coming out at two wickets down for five runs. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Middle

As the day progressed, England were 175 for three. Two versions of elite Yorkshire batting at the crease.

On one side, Root was simply being himself, relaxed, graceful, watchful. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

Throughout, a dusk was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and Mitchell Starc revving up for the pivotal spell of the day.

A Reckless Stroke

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

The ball to Brook was full-length, the edge clear. There is no scenario where this was a smart choice.

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

The Veteran's Quiet Response

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

He delivered his own quiet rebuke, a triumph for diligence, working at your flaws.

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

Will they take twenty wickets? Are they going to learn? Not sure. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.