Majestic Joe Root Basks in Aussie Triumph at Finally but Brook’s Error Could Prove Costly

Finally, even the celebration was ideal, on the field under that strange intense blue southern sky, within the tumult of the contest – hyper Baz energy, England’s lower order swinging freely in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

But, then if you know, you know. Picture trying to explain the reason this was not just warm, uplifting and cathartic, but subtly monumental.

A Moment Frozen in Its Own Light

A man who already possessed 39 tons in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now registered his fortieth. Yet, trace the journey, the craft, the setbacks.

There will, of course, be a lot of discussion stuff to be resolved. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

But there is something deeper about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning point-scoring. Any Australian who cares for cricket already knows Root is a world-class cricketer.

Root's Century as a Solid Anchor

The century felt important in other ways, not least as something solid in the series for this team, a handhold in the ice.

This was not merely a hundred in Australia, but a brilliant one in genuinely tough conditions, an innings that may have saved his team in this series.

It had to start with the early wickets tumbling, and England’s greatest modern player coming out at two wickets down for five runs. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Dichotomy in the Crease

As the day progressed, England were 175 for three. Two versions of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

At one end, Root was playing his natural game, easy, lithe, alert. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

All the while, a gloom was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and Mitchell Starc building up for the key spell of the day.

A Damaging Decision

Do you run towards this danger? Apparently so. No sighters, 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 smart choice.

It was, if nothing else, novel in its utter failure. We've witnessed England bat in Australia without fluidity. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Steady Rebuke

And so one half of this England team kept faltering, while at the other end Root batted with immense resolve, but for everyone else’s too.

Root provided his own masterful response, a success for preparation, addressing your flaws.

The tourists are still in this series because he scaled the peak, provided a lesson in what skill ultimately means.

Will they take twenty wickets? Are they going to learn? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root did score a hundred.