Majestic Root Glories in Australian Triumph at Last but Brook’s Error Could Come at a Price
In the end, the moment of celebration was ideal, out there under that unique deep-blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the game-state – hyper Baz energy, England’s lower order cutting loose death cult-style at the other end.
Right. All that drama. At the heart, the veteran batsman eased the ball away past fine leg to secure his long-awaited Test hundred in Australia.
But, then if you know, you know. Picture trying to explain why this was more than warm, uplifting and cleansing, but quietly epic.
A Milestone Preserved in Its Own Light
A player who already possessed 39 centuries in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now registered his fortieth. However, follow the narrative, the craft, the twists and turns.
There will, of course, be much discussion stuff to be resolved. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Is he *Australian* great?
But there is something deeper about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about point-scoring. Any Australian who cares for cricket already knows Root is a great cricketer.
Root's Century as a Solid Anchor
The century felt meaningful in other ways, particularly as something solid in the series for this team, a anchor 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 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 greatest modern player coming out at a dire 5 for 2. He was given a life early in the slips.
The Contrast in the Crease
In the afternoon session, England were 3/175. Two examples of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.
At one end, Root was exuding calm, relaxed, lithe, alert. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.
All the while, a dusk was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and Mitchell Starc building up for the crucial spell of the day.
A Reckless Choice
Should one attack this threat? Yep. No settling in, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.
The delivery to Brook was full, the edge healthy. There is no world where this was a smart choice.
It was at least novel in its utter failure. We have seen England bat in Australia like the Tin Man. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.
The Veteran's Steady Rebuke
Therefore one half of this England team continued to collapse, while at the other end Root batted not just for his life, but for the entire innings.
He delivered his own subtle correction, a triumph for diligence, working at your flaws.
The tourists are still in this series because he did the thing, delivered a lesson in what skill ultimately means.
Can they dismiss Australia? Are they going to learn? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root did score a hundred.
