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In the end, the very celebration was perfect, out there under that strange intense blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the contest – hyper Baz energy, England’s lower order scything away death cult-style at the other end.

Right. All that drama. In the middle, the former captain guided the ball away to fine leg to complete his long-awaited Test hundred in Australia.

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

An Achievement Preserved in Time

A man who already possessed 39 centuries in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now compiled his 40th. But, trace the journey, the craft, the twists and turns.

There will, of course, be much debate material to be settled. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Is he *Australian* great?

However, there is something more about wanting Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning rivalry. Every Australian who understands cricket is well aware Root is a world-class cricketer.

Root's Hundred as a Solid Foundation

This ton felt important in other ways, not least as something concrete 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 truly tough conditions, an innings that might just have saved his team in this series.

The innings commenced with the early wickets tumbling, and England’s key batter coming out at a dire 5 for 2. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Middle

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

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

All the while, a gloom was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and the pink ball genius building up for the pivotal spell of the day.

A Costly Choice

Should one attack this threat? Yep. No settling in, no feet. Just throw the hands at it first up.

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

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

The Veteran's Quiet Answer

Thus one half of this England team kept faltering, while at the other end Root batted not just for his life, but for everyone else’s too.

He offered his own masterful response, a success for diligence, working at your flaws.

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

Will they take twenty wickets? Can they evolve? Uncertain. But Joe Root did score a hundred.