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In the end, even the celebration was flawless, out there under that unusual intense blue southern sky, within the tumult of the game-state – hyper Baz energy, England’s lower order swinging freely death cult-style at the other end.

So yeah. All that stuff. At the heart, the veteran batsman eased the ball away past fine leg to complete his maiden Test hundred in Australia.

Yet, the true meaning resonates with those who have followed the journey. Consider trying to explain the reason this was not just heartwarming, uplifting and cathartic, but subtly monumental.

A Milestone Frozen in Time

A batsman who already possessed thirty-nine hundreds in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now scored his fortieth. But, trace the journey, the artistry, the twists and turns.

There will, of course, be much discussion material to be resolved. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

But there is something more about wishing for Root to be great in Australia. It isn't regarding point-scoring. Any Australian who understands cricket is well aware Root is a exceptional cricketer.

The Captain's Hundred as a Reliable Foundation

Root’s hundred felt important in other ways, particularly as something solid in the series for this team, a foothold in the difficulty.

Can England secure victory at the Gabba? Uncertain. 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.

The innings commenced with the team in deep trouble, and England’s premier batsman coming out at two wickets down for five runs. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Crease

By mid-afternoon, England were 175 for three. Two versions of elite Yorkshire grit 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.

Throughout, a darkness was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and the pink ball genius revving up for the crucial spell of the day.

A Reckless Decision

Is it wise to challenge this? Apparently so. No sighters, no feet. Just a flash of the bat first up.

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

It was at least novel in its abjectness. We have seen England bat in Australia like a rusted machine. This was Brook as the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Quiet Rebuke

Thus one half of this England team continued to collapse, while at the other end Root batted for survival, but for everyone else’s too.

He offered his own masterful response, a triumph for doing your homework, working at your flaws.

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

Are they going to bowl Australia out? Can they evolve? Uncertain. But Joe Root did score a hundred.