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Finally, the moment of celebration was perfect, under lights under that strange vivid blue southern sky, within the tumult of the game-state – hyper Baz energy, the English lower order cutting loose death cult-style at the other end.

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

Yet, the true meaning resonates with those who have followed the journey. Imagine trying to explain the reason this was more than heartwarming, uplifting and cathartic, but quietly epic.

An Achievement Preserved in Its Own Light

A player who already possessed 39 centuries in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now scored his 40th. However, consider the journey, the artistry, the twists and turns.

There will, of course, be plenty of banter-war talk to be resolved. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

But there is something more about wanting Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about rivalry. Every Australian who knows about cricket recognizes 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 tangible in the series for this team, a anchor in the difficulty.

Can England secure victory at the Gabba? It's unclear. 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 outstanding one in truly tough conditions, an innings that could have saved his team in this series.

The innings commenced with the wings already falling off, and England’s key batter coming out at a dire 5 for 2. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Crease

As the day progressed, England were in a reasonable position. Two embodiments of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

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

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

A Damaging Stroke

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

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

It was at least novel in its abjectness. We have seen England bat in Australia like the Tin Man. Now Brook presented 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 the entire innings.

He delivered his own quiet rebuke, a victory for doing your homework, working at your flaws.

England are still in this series because he achieved the milestone, provided a lesson in what skill ultimately means.

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