Magnificent Joe Root Glories in Australian Glory at Long Last but Brook’s Mistake Might Come at a Price
In the end, even the celebration was ideal, out there under that unique deep-blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the contest – frantic Baz energy, the English lower order scything away with reckless abandon at the other end.
Right. All that drama. Amidst it all, Joe Root guided the ball away to fine leg to secure his maiden Test hundred in Australia.
But, then if you know, you know. Consider trying to explain why this was not just heartwarming, inspiring and cleansing, but quietly epic.
An Achievement Preserved in Time
A batsman who already possessed 39 centuries in this traditional format of a sport has now compiled his fortieth. Yet, consider the story, the skill, the jags in the road.
There'll, of course, be much banter-war talk to be settled. Is Joe Root finally great? Is he considered great by Australian standards?
Yet there exists something deeper about wanting Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning rivalry. Any Australian who cares for cricket is well aware Root is a world-class cricketer.
Root's Hundred as a Sturdy Foundation
The century felt significant in other ways, not least as something tangible in the series for this team, a handhold in the glacier.
Can England secure victory at the Gabba? It's unclear. But Joe Root got a hundred. Did Harry Brook play... the worst shot yet? Yes. He did.
This was not merely a hundred in Australia, but a superb one in authentically tough conditions, an innings that might just have saved his team in this series.
It began with the team in deep trouble, and England’s key batter coming out at a dire 5 for 2. He was given a life early in the slips.
The Contrast in the Middle
As the day progressed, England were 175 for three. Two versions of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.
On one side, Root was playing his natural game, easy, lithe, alert. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.
Throughout, a gloom was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and the pink ball genius preparing for the key spell of the day.
A Costly Choice
Is it wise to challenge this? Yes. No settling in, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.
The delivery to Brook was full, 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.
The Veteran's Quiet Response
Thus one half of this England team continued to collapse, while at the other end Root batted with immense resolve, but for the team's cause.
Root provided his own quiet rebuke, a victory for preparation, addressing your flaws.
The tourists are still in this series because he did the thing, delivered a lesson in what talent ultimately means.
Will they take twenty wickets? Can they evolve? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root made a hundred.
