Magnificent Root Basks in Australian Triumph at Long Last but Brook’s Folly Might Prove Costly
In the end, even the celebration was perfect, under lights under that unique intense blue southern sky, within the tumult of the game-state – frantic Baz energy, England’s lower order scything away with reckless abandon at the other end.
Right. All that drama. At the heart, Joe Root steered the ball away to fine leg to secure his first Test hundred in Australia.
But, then if you know, you know. Picture trying to explain why this was more than heartwarming, uplifting and cleansing, but subtly monumental.
A Moment Preserved in Time
A man who already possessed thirty-nine centuries in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now registered his 40th. However, trace the narrative, the craft, the jags in the road.
There'll, of course, be much banter-war talk to be hashed out. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Does he now rank among Australian greats?
However, there is something further about wishing for Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about rivalry. Every Australian who knows about cricket is well aware Root is a exceptional cricketer.
The Captain's Hundred as a Sturdy Handhold
This ton felt important in other ways, particularly as something tangible 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 might just have saved his team in this series.
It had to start with the wings already falling off, and England’s premier batsman coming out at a dire 5 for 2. Root was dropped early in the slips.
The Contrast in the Middle
As the day progressed, England were in a reasonable position. Two examples of elite Yorkshire batting at the crease.
At one end, Root was simply being himself, easy, lithe, alert. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.
Meanwhile, a darkness was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and Mitchell Starc building up for the key spell of the day.
A Costly Decision
Do you run towards this danger? Yes. No settling in, no feet. Just a flash of the bat first up.
The ball to Brook was full-length, the edge thick. There is no scenario where this was a sensible choice.
It was, if nothing else, novel in its abjectness. We've witnessed England bat in Australia like the Tin Man. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.
Root's Steady Response
Thus one half of this England team persisted in failing, while at the other end Root batted not just for his life, but for the entire innings.
Root provided 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 talent truly means.
Can they dismiss Australia? Are they going to learn? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root did score a hundred.