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In the end, even the celebration was ideal, on the field under that unique vivid blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the match situation – frantic Baz energy, England’s lower order cutting loose with reckless abandon at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. In the middle, Joe Root steered the ball away past fine leg to notch his first Test hundred in Australia.

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

An Achievement Caught in Its Own Light

A man who already possessed thirty-nine centuries in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now compiled his fortieth. Yet, consider the journey, the artistry, the twists and turns.

There will, of course, be much banter-war material to be hashed out. Is Joe Root finally great? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

However, there is something deeper about wanting Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning point-scoring. Every Australian who understands cricket recognizes Root is a exceptional cricketer.

Root's Hundred as a Solid Foundation

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

Can England secure victory at the Gabba? Don’t know. But Joe Root got a hundred. Was Harry Brook's dismissal the poorest shot? Yes. He did.

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

The innings commenced with the team in deep trouble, and England’s greatest modern player coming out at 5/2. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Crease

By mid-afternoon, England were 3/175. Two embodiments of elite Yorkshire grit at the crease.

On one side, 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, the shadows creeping across the ground, and the swing maestro revving up for the crucial spell of the day.

A Costly Stroke

Do you run towards this danger? Yes. No sighters, no feet. Just throw the hands at it first up.

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

It was at least novel in its abjectness. We've witnessed England bat in Australia like a rusted machine. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Quiet Answer

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

Root provided 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 ability truly means.

Will they take twenty wickets? Are they going to learn? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.