🔗 Share this article Magnificent Joe Root Glories in Australian Triumph at Finally but Harry Brook's Mistake Might Be Costly Ultimately, the very celebration was ideal, out there under that unusual intense blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the contest – manic Baz energy, England’s lower order swinging freely death cult-style at the other end. Right. All that drama. In the middle, the veteran batsman guided the ball away to fine leg to secure his maiden Test hundred in Australia. But, then if you know, you know. Picture trying to explain the reason this was not just heartwarming, uplifting and cathartic, but subtly monumental. An Achievement Caught in Its Own Light A player who already had thirty-nine centuries in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now registered his 40th. But, follow the narrative, the craft, the setbacks. There will, of course, be a lot of discussion stuff to be resolved. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Is he considered great by Australian standards? But there is something more about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about one-upmanship. Any Australian who cares for cricket is well aware Root is a world-class cricketer. Root's Hundred as a Reliable Handhold The century felt meaningful in other ways, not least as something solid in the series for this team, a anchor in the glacier. Can England secure victory at the Gabba? Uncertain. 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 authentically tough conditions, an innings that may have saved his team in this series. The innings commenced with the early wickets tumbling, and England’s premier batsman 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 175 for three. Two versions of elite Yorkshire grit at the crease. At one end, Root was simply being himself, easy, graceful, alert. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom. All the while, a darkness was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and the swing maestro preparing for the key spell of the day. A Costly Choice Is it wise to challenge this? Yep. No settling in, no feet. Just throw the hands at it first up. The delivery to Brook was full-length, the edge clear. There is no scenario where this was a sensible choice. It was at least novel in its abjectness. We have seen England bat in Australia like a rusted machine. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain. Root's Steady Rebuke And so one half of this England team kept faltering, while at the other end Root batted for survival, but for everyone else’s too. Root provided his own quiet rebuke, a triumph for doing your homework, working at your flaws. England are still in this series because he scaled the peak, offered a lesson in what ability in the end means. Are they going to bowl Australia out? Can they evolve? Not sure. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.