Magnificent Joe Root Revels in Australian Triumph at Finally but Harry Brook's Folly Might Be Costly

Finally, the very celebration was ideal, on the field under that unusual intense blue southern sky, within the tumult of the match situation – manic Baz energy, England’s lower order scything away death cult-style at the other end.

Yet, the true meaning resonates with those who have followed the journey. Imagine trying to explain the reason this was not just heartwarming, inspiring and cleansing, but subtly monumental.

A Moment Frozen in Its Own Light

A man who already had 39 hundreds in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now scored his 40th. But, trace the narrative, the artistry, the jags in the road.

There will, of course, be a lot of banter-war material to be resolved. Is Joe Root finally great? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

Yet there exists something more about wishing for Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about point-scoring. Any Australian who cares for cricket already knows Root is a world-class cricketer.

Root's Century as a Sturdy Handhold

This ton felt significant in other ways, particularly as something solid in the series for this team, a anchor in the ice.

And not just a hundred in Australia, but a superb one in genuinely tough conditions, an innings that might just have saved his team in this series.

It had to start with the team in deep trouble, and England’s key batter coming out at 5/2. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Crease

In the afternoon session, England were 3/175. Two versions of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

On one side, Root was playing his natural game, relaxed, graceful, watchful. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

Throughout, a darkness was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and the pink ball genius building up for the pivotal spell of the day.

A Damaging Stroke

Do you run towards this danger? Yep. No settling in, no feet. Just a flash of the bat first up.

The delivery to Brook was full, the edge thick. There is no world where this was a sensible choice.

It was at least novel in its abjectness. We've witnessed England bat in Australia without fluidity. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Silent Response

Therefore one half of this England team continued to collapse, while at the other end Root batted with immense resolve, but for the team's cause.

He offered his own subtle correction, a success for doing your homework, addressing your flaws.

England are still in this series because he achieved the milestone, provided a lesson in what skill in the end means.

Can they dismiss Australia? Are they going to learn? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root did score a hundred.