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

So yeah. All that stuff. Amidst it all, Joe Root guided the ball away through fine leg to notch his first 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 Frozen in Its Own Light

A batsman who already possessed 39 centuries in this traditional format of a sport has now compiled his 40th. But, follow the narrative, the artistry, the setbacks.

There will, of course, be a lot of discussion material to be resolved. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Is he *Australian* great?

However, there is something more about wanting Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about point-scoring. Any Australian who cares for cricket already knows Root is a exceptional cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Sturdy Foundation

Root’s hundred felt important in other ways, especially as something tangible in the series for this team, a anchor in the ice.

Will England triumph at the Gabba? Uncertain. 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 outstanding one in authentically tough conditions, an innings that may have saved his team in this series.

It began with the early wickets tumbling, and England’s greatest modern player coming out at two wickets down for five runs. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Middle

In the afternoon session, England were 3/175. Two examples of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

At one end, Root was playing his natural game, relaxed, graceful, alert. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

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

A Costly Stroke

Do you run towards this danger? Yes. No settling in, no feet. Just a flash of the bat first up.

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

It was at least novel in its complete misjudgment. 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 kept faltering, while at the other end Root batted for survival, but for the team's cause.

He delivered his own subtle correction, a victory for doing your homework, working at your flaws.

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

Can they dismiss Australia? Are they going to learn? Uncertain. But Joe Root did score a hundred.