Magnificent Root Glories in Australian Glory at Finally but Harry Brook's Error Might Prove Costly
Ultimately, even the celebration was perfect, out there under that unique vivid blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the match situation – frantic Baz energy, England’s lower order cutting loose in a do-or-die manner at the other end.
Right. All that drama. At the heart, the veteran batsman steered the ball away to fine leg to secure his first Test hundred in Australia.
But, then if you know, you know. Imagine trying to explain the reason this was not just heartwarming, uplifting and cleansing, but profoundly significant.
A Milestone Preserved in Time
A batsman who already possessed thirty-nine hundreds in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now compiled his fortieth. But, trace the journey, the craft, the jags in the road.
There will, of course, be a lot of banter-war stuff to be hashed out. Is Joe Root finally great? Is he considered great by Australian standards?
Yet there exists something further about wishing for Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning rivalry. Every Australian who understands cricket recognizes Root is a world-class cricketer.
Root's Century as a Reliable Handhold
This ton felt significant in other ways, not least as something solid in the series for this team, a foothold in the glacier.
Will England triumph at the Gabba? It's unclear. But Joe Root got a hundred. Did Harry Brook play... the worst shot yet? Yes. He did.
And not just a hundred in Australia, but a outstanding one in genuinely tough conditions, an innings that may have saved his team in this series.
The innings commenced with the team in deep trouble, and England’s premier batsman coming out at 5/2. He was given a life early in the slips.
The Dichotomy in the Crease
By mid-afternoon, England were in a reasonable position. Two examples of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.
On one side, Root was simply being himself, easy, graceful, alert. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.
Meanwhile, a dusk was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and the pink ball genius revving up for the pivotal spell of the day.
A Damaging Stroke
Should one attack this threat? Yes. 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 scenario where this was a sensible choice.
It was at least novel in its complete misjudgment. We have seen England bat in Australia like the Tin Man. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.
Root's Steady Answer
Therefore one half of this England team continued to collapse, while at the other end Root batted not just for his life, but for everyone else’s too.
Root provided his own subtle correction, a victory for diligence, correcting your flaws.
England are still in this series because he did the thing, delivered a lesson in what skill in the end means.
Will they take twenty wickets? Are they going to learn? Not sure. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.