🔗 Share this article Magnificent Root Glories in Australian Triumph at Finally but Harry Brook's Error May Come at a Price Finally, the very celebration was flawless, on the field under that strange intense blue southern sky, within the tumult of the match situation – hyper Baz energy, England’s lower order cutting loose with reckless abandon at the other end. So yeah. All that stuff. At the heart, the former captain eased the ball away past fine leg to notch his maiden 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 profoundly significant. A Milestone Frozen in Its Own Light A man who already possessed thirty-nine centuries in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now scored his 40th. But, trace the journey, the craft, the twists and turns. There'll, of course, be plenty of banter-war talk to be hashed out. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Is he *Australian* great? But there is something further about wanting Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about one-upmanship. Every Australian who knows about cricket already knows Root is a great cricketer. The Captain's Century as a Solid Foundation This ton felt significant in other ways, not least as something solid in the series for this team, a anchor in the ice. Will England triumph at the Gabba? Uncertain. 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 outstanding one in truly tough conditions, an innings that might just have saved his team in this series. It began with the team in deep trouble, and England’s key batter coming out at a dire 5 for 2. Root was dropped early in the slips. The Contrast in the Middle In the afternoon session, England were in a reasonable position. Two versions of elite Yorkshire batting at the crease. On one side, Root was exuding calm, easy, lithe, watchful. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom. All the while, a dusk was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and the pink ball genius revving up for the crucial spell of the day. A Reckless Choice Should one attack this threat? Apparently so. No settling in, no feet. Just a flash of the bat first up. The ball to Brook was full, the edge healthy. There is no world where this was a smart choice. It was at least novel in its complete misjudgment. We have seen England bat in Australia like a rusted machine. This was Brook as the scarecrow, batting without a brain. Root's Silent Response Thus one half of this England team kept faltering, while at the other end Root batted not just for his life, but for the entire innings. He delivered his own masterful response, a triumph for preparation, working at your flaws. England are still in this series because he scaled the peak, offered a lesson in what skill truly means. Are they going to bowl Australia out? Are they going to learn? Not sure. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.