🔗 Share this article Sublime Root Glories in Aussie Glory at Last but Brook’s Folly Might Prove Costly Ultimately, the moment of celebration was flawless, on the field under that unique deep-blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the contest – manic Baz energy, England’s lower order cutting loose death cult-style at the other end. Indeed. All of that. In the middle, Joe Root guided the ball away past fine leg to complete his maiden Test hundred in Australia. Yet, the true meaning resonates with those who have followed the journey. Consider trying to explain the reason this was not just heartwarming, inspiring and cleansing, but profoundly significant. A Moment Preserved in Its Own Light A batsman who already had 39 centuries in this traditional format of a sport has now compiled his fortieth. Yet, follow the narrative, the skill, the setbacks. There will, of course, be a lot of discussion talk to be hashed out. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Does he now rank among Australian greats? Yet there exists something more about wishing for Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning one-upmanship. Any Australian who understands cricket already knows Root is a great cricketer. The Captain's Hundred as a Reliable Foundation This ton felt significant in other ways, particularly as something tangible in the series for this team, a foothold in the glacier. Will England triumph at the Gabba? It's unclear. But Joe Root got a hundred. Did Harry Brook produce a disastrous stroke? Yes. He did. This was not merely a hundred in Australia, but a brilliant one in truly tough conditions, an innings that could have saved his team in this series. It had to start with the team in deep trouble, and England’s premier batsman coming out at a dire 5 for 2. He was given a life early in the slips. The Dichotomy in the Middle As the day progressed, England were 3/175. Two examples of elite Yorkshire batting at the crease. On one side, Root was playing his natural game, relaxed, lithe, alert. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom. All the while, a dusk was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and Mitchell Starc building up for the key spell of the day. A Costly Choice Do you run towards this danger? Yep. No settling in, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up. The ball to Brook was full-length, the edge thick. There is no scenario where this was a smart choice. It was at least 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. Root's Silent Response And so one half of this England team persisted in failing, while at the other end Root batted for survival, but for the team's cause. He delivered his own masterful response, a triumph for diligence, correcting your flaws. The tourists are still in this series because he did the thing, offered a lesson in what ability in the end means. Are they going to bowl Australia out? Are they going to learn? Uncertain. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.