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In the end, even the celebration was perfect, out there under that unique vivid blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the contest – manic Baz energy, the English lower order cutting loose death cult-style at the other end.

Right. All that drama. In the middle, Joe Root guided 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. Imagine trying to explain the reason this was not just warm, uplifting and cleansing, but profoundly significant.

A Moment Caught in Time

A player who already had thirty-nine centuries in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now registered his fortieth. But, consider the narrative, the artistry, the setbacks.

There will, of course, be much banter-war material to be hashed out. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Is he *Australian* great?

Yet there exists something more about wanting Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about one-upmanship. Any Australian who cares for cricket is well aware Root is a great cricketer.

The Captain's Hundred as a Sturdy Foundation

This ton felt important in other ways, especially as something tangible 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 superb one in truly tough conditions, an innings that could have saved his team in this series.

The innings commenced with the wings already falling off, and England’s greatest modern player coming out at a dire 5 for 2. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Middle

By mid-afternoon, England were in a reasonable position. Two embodiments of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

At one end, Root was exuding calm, relaxed, lithe, alert. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

Meanwhile, a dusk was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and Mitchell Starc revving up for the key spell of the day.

A Costly Stroke

Do you run towards this danger? Yep. No settling in, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

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

It was, if nothing else, novel in its complete misjudgment. We've witnessed England bat in Australia like a rusted machine. Now Brook presented the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Quiet Rebuke

Therefore 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 delivered his own masterful response, a triumph for doing your homework, correcting your flaws.

England are still in this series because he scaled the peak, provided a lesson in what ability ultimately means.

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