Sublime Root Revels in Aussie Triumph at Finally but Harry Brook's Error Might Come at a Price
Ultimately, the moment of celebration was perfect, out there under that unusual vivid blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the contest – frantic Baz energy, England’s lower order swinging freely death cult-style at the other end.
Right. All that drama. In the middle, Joe Root guided the ball away through fine leg to secure his long-awaited Test hundred in Australia.
But, then if you know, you know. Picture trying to explain the reason this was more than heartwarming, inspiring and cathartic, but quietly epic.
A Milestone Preserved in Its Own Light
A man who already had 39 tons in this traditional format of a sport has now compiled his fortieth. But, consider the journey, the skill, the twists and turns.
There will, of course, be much banter-war material to be hashed out. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Is he considered great by Australian standards?
Yet there exists something further about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about rivalry. Any Australian who knows about cricket recognizes Root is a great cricketer.
Root's Century as a Solid Anchor
The century felt important in other ways, especially as something tangible in the series for this team, a foothold in the glacier.
Will England triumph at the Gabba? Uncertain. 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 superb one in truly tough conditions, an innings that could have saved his team in this series.
It began with the team in deep trouble, and England’s greatest modern player coming out at 5/2. He was given a life early in the slips.
The Juxtaposition in the Middle
By mid-afternoon, England were 175 for three. Two examples of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.
At one end, Root was playing his natural game, easy, graceful, alert. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.
All the while, a dusk was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and Mitchell Starc building up for the crucial spell of the day.
A Damaging Decision
Is it wise to challenge this? Apparently so. No settling in, no feet. Just a flash of the bat first up.
The ball to Brook was full-length, the edge clear. There is no world where this was a sensible choice.
It was at least novel in its utter failure. We've witnessed England bat in Australia like a rusted machine. Now Brook presented the scarecrow, batting without a brain.
The Veteran's Quiet Answer
Therefore one half of this England team persisted in failing, while at the other end Root batted with immense resolve, but for everyone else’s too.
He offered his own quiet rebuke, a victory for doing your homework, addressing your flaws.
The tourists are still in this series because he achieved the milestone, offered a lesson in what talent ultimately means.
Will they take twenty wickets? Will they adapt? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.
