🔗 Share this article Majestic Root Basks in Australian Glory at Long Last but Harry Brook's Mistake May Come at a Price Finally, even the celebration was ideal, under lights under that unique intense blue southern sky, within the tumult of the game-state – manic Baz energy, England’s lower order scything away death cult-style at the other end. Right. All that drama. At the heart, the veteran batsman steered the ball away past fine leg to complete his long-awaited Test hundred in Australia. But, then if you know, you know. Imagine trying to explain the reason this was more than heartwarming, inspiring and cathartic, but quietly epic. A Moment Caught in Time A batsman who already had 39 centuries in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now compiled his 40th. But, consider the narrative, the artistry, the jags in the road. There will, of course, be plenty of banter-war material to be hashed out. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Is he *Australian* great? But there is something more about wishing for Root to be great in Australia. It isn't regarding point-scoring. Every Australian who cares for cricket recognizes Root is a exceptional cricketer. Root's Hundred as a Solid Anchor Root’s hundred felt important in other ways, particularly as something concrete in the series for this team, a foothold in the glacier. Will England triumph at the Gabba? Uncertain. 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 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 two wickets down for five runs. He was given a life early in the slips. The Dichotomy in the Middle By mid-afternoon, England were 175 for three. Two examples of elite Yorkshire batting at the crease. On one side, Root was playing his natural game, easy, lithe, alert. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom. Throughout, a darkness was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and the pink ball genius building up for the key spell of the day. A Reckless Stroke Should one attack this threat? Yes. No settling in, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up. The ball to Brook was full, the edge healthy. There is no world where this was a good choice. It was at least novel in its abjectness. We have seen England bat in Australia like a rusted machine. Now Brook presented the scarecrow, batting without a brain. The Veteran's Silent Response Therefore 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 subtle correction, a victory for preparation, working at your flaws. England are still in this series because he scaled the peak, provided a lesson in what talent ultimately means. Are they going to bowl Australia out? Will they adapt? Uncertain. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.