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In the end, the moment of celebration was ideal, on the field under that unusual vivid blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the match situation – manic Baz energy, the English lower order scything away death cult-style at the other end.

Right. All that drama. At the heart, the veteran batsman steered the ball away to fine leg to complete his maiden Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Picture trying to explain the reason this was more than heartwarming, uplifting and cathartic, but profoundly significant.

An Achievement Caught in Its Own Light

A man who already possessed thirty-nine centuries in this traditional format of a sport has now registered his fortieth. Yet, trace the narrative, the skill, the jags in the road.

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

However, there is something further about wanting Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning one-upmanship. Any Australian who knows about cricket already knows Root is a world-class cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Reliable Handhold

This ton felt important in other ways, not least as something solid in the series for this team, a foothold in the ice.

Will England triumph 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 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 greatest modern player coming out at 5/2. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Middle

By mid-afternoon, England were 175 for three. Two examples of elite Yorkshire batting at the crease.

On one side, Root was simply being himself, easy, lithe, watchful. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

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

A Damaging Choice

Is it wise to challenge this? Yes. No sighters, no feet. Just throw the hands at it first up.

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

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

The Veteran's Steady Rebuke

Therefore one half of this England team persisted in failing, while at the other end Root batted with immense resolve, but for the entire innings.

Root provided his own quiet rebuke, a victory for doing your homework, correcting your flaws.

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

Can they dismiss Australia? Will they adapt? Uncertain. But Joe Root made a hundred.