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Finally, the moment of celebration was ideal, under lights under that unusual deep-blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the match situation – manic Baz energy, the English lower order scything away in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

So yeah. All that stuff. In the middle, the veteran batsman eased the ball away through fine leg to complete his maiden Test hundred in Australia.

However, for those who understand, the significance is clear. Imagine trying to explain the reason this was more than heartwarming, uplifting and cleansing, but profoundly significant.

A Moment Caught in Time

A batsman who already had thirty-nine centuries in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now registered his 40th. Yet, consider the story, the artistry, the twists and turns.

There will, of course, be plenty of banter-war stuff to be hashed out. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

But there is something more about wishing for Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning one-upmanship. Any Australian who understands cricket is well aware Root is a exceptional cricketer.

The Captain's Hundred as a Sturdy Anchor

The century felt significant in other ways, particularly as something concrete in the series for this team, a anchor in the glacier.

Can England secure victory 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 outstanding one in authentically tough conditions, an innings that may have saved his team in this series.

It began with the team in deep trouble, and England’s premier batsman coming out at a dire 5 for 2. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Dichotomy in the Middle

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

At one end, Root was simply being himself, relaxed, graceful, watchful. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

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

A Damaging Decision

Do you run towards this danger? Apparently so. No settling in, no feet. Just throw the hands at it first up.

The ball to Brook was full, the edge clear. 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 the Tin Man. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Quiet Response

And so 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 masterful response, a victory for doing your homework, correcting your flaws.

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

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