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Ultimately, the moment of celebration was ideal, on the field under that strange intense blue southern sky, within the tumult of the contest – hyper Baz energy, England’s lower order scything away death cult-style at the other end.

So yeah. All that stuff. At the heart, the veteran batsman eased the ball away through fine leg to complete his long-awaited Test hundred in Australia.

Yet, the true meaning resonates with those who have followed the journey. Consider trying to explain why this was not just heartwarming, inspiring and cleansing, but quietly epic.

A Milestone Caught in Time

A batsman who already possessed 39 centuries in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now scored his 40th. However, consider the story, the craft, the setbacks.

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

But there is something more about wanting Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning one-upmanship. Every Australian who understands cricket recognizes Root is a world-class cricketer.

Root's Hundred as a Solid Anchor

Root’s hundred felt meaningful in other ways, not least as something tangible in the series for this team, a foothold in the ice.

Are England going to win at the Gabba? Don’t know. 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 outstanding one in genuinely tough conditions, an innings that might just have saved his team in this series.

It had to start with the early wickets tumbling, and England’s key batter coming out at a dire 5 for 2. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Middle

As the day progressed, England were 3/175. Two examples of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

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

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

A Reckless Stroke

Is it wise to challenge this? Apparently so. No sighters, no feet. Just throw the hands at it first up.

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

It was at least novel in its abjectness. We have seen England bat in Australia like a rusted machine. Now Brook presented the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Quiet Response

And so one half of this England team persisted in failing, while at the other end Root batted for survival, but for everyone else’s too.

He offered his own subtle correction, a victory for preparation, working at your flaws.

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

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