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Ultimately, the moment of celebration was perfect, under lights under that unique intense blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the game-state – frantic Baz energy, the English lower order cutting loose death cult-style at the other end.

So yeah. All that stuff. Amidst it all, the veteran batsman steered the ball away to fine leg to secure his long-awaited Test hundred in Australia.

However, for those who understand, the significance is clear. Consider trying to explain why this was more than heartwarming, inspiring and cleansing, but quietly epic.

A Milestone Frozen in Its Own Light

A man who already had thirty-nine centuries in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now scored his 40th. However, trace the story, the craft, the jags in the road.

There will, of course, be a lot of banter-war talk to be settled. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

Yet there exists something further about wanting Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about one-upmanship. Every Australian who cares for cricket already knows Root is a great cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Solid Anchor

The century felt important in other ways, especially as something concrete in the series for this team, a anchor in the difficulty.

Can England secure victory at the Gabba? It's unclear. But Joe Root got a hundred. Did Harry Brook produce a disastrous stroke? Yes. He did.

And not just a hundred in Australia, but a brilliant one in genuinely tough conditions, an innings that might just have saved his team in this series.

It began with the early wickets tumbling, and England’s key batter coming out at two wickets down for five runs. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Crease

In the afternoon session, England were 175 for three. Two versions of elite Yorkshire batting at the crease.

On one side, Root was playing his natural game, easy, graceful, alert. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

All the while, a darkness was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and Mitchell Starc preparing for the crucial spell of the day.

A Reckless Choice

Is it wise to challenge this? Yep. No settling in, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

The ball to Brook was full-length, the edge thick. There is no scenario where this was a good choice.

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

The Veteran's Silent 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 team's cause.

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

England are still in this series because he did the thing, delivered a lesson in what skill ultimately means.

Can they dismiss Australia? Will they adapt? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.