Finally, the very celebration was ideal, under lights under that unusual vivid blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the contest – frantic Baz energy, England’s lower order cutting loose in a do-or-die manner at the other end.
Indeed. All of that. In the middle, the veteran batsman guided the ball away to fine leg to notch his maiden Test hundred in Australia.
However, for those who understand, the significance is clear. Picture trying to explain why this was more than heartwarming, inspiring and cleansing, but profoundly significant.
An Achievement Preserved in Time
A player who already possessed 39 tons in this traditional format of a sport has now scored his 40th. Yet, trace the narrative, the skill, the setbacks.
There'll, of course, be a lot of debate stuff to be hashed out. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Does he now rank among Australian greats?
However, there is something further about wanting Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about one-upmanship. Every Australian who understands cricket already knows Root is a great cricketer.
Root's Century as a Sturdy Anchor
This ton felt important in other ways, not least as something solid in the series for this team, a handhold in the glacier.
Can England secure victory at the Gabba? It's unclear. But Joe Root got a hundred. Did Harry Brook produce a disastrous stroke? Yes. He did.
And not just a hundred in Australia, but a superb one in authentically tough conditions, an innings that might just have saved his team in this series.
The innings commenced with the early wickets tumbling, and England’s premier batsman coming out at 5/2. Root was dropped early in the slips.
The Contrast in the Middle
By mid-afternoon, England were in a reasonable position. Two examples of elite Yorkshire grit at the crease.
On one side, Root was simply being himself, easy, graceful, alert. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.
Throughout, a gloom was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and the pink ball genius revving up for the key spell of the day.
A Costly Decision
Should one attack this threat? Apparently so. No settling in, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.
The ball to Brook was full, the edge clear. There is no world where this was a smart choice.
It was at least novel in its utter failure. We've witnessed England bat in Australia without fluidity. This was Brook as the scarecrow, batting without a brain.
The Veteran's Silent Rebuke
Thus one half of this England team persisted in failing, while at the other end Root batted not just for his life, but for everyone else’s too.
Root provided his own subtle correction, a victory for doing your homework, correcting your flaws.
The tourists are still in this series because he scaled the peak, offered a lesson in what ability ultimately means.
Are they going to bowl Australia out? Will they adapt? Uncertain. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.
