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In the end, the very celebration was flawless, under lights under that unique intense blue southern sky, within the tumult of the contest – hyper Baz energy, the English lower order cutting loose in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

Right. All that drama. Amidst it all, the veteran batsman steered the ball away through fine leg to complete his first Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Consider trying to explain the reason this was not just heartwarming, uplifting and cathartic, but subtly monumental.

A Moment Caught in Its Own Light

A player who already possessed 39 hundreds in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now compiled his 40th. However, consider the journey, the skill, the twists and turns.

There will, of course, be plenty of banter-war material to be resolved. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

However, there is something further about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about rivalry. Any Australian who understands cricket already knows Root is a world-class cricketer.

Root's Hundred as a Solid Handhold

The century felt significant in other ways, particularly as something solid in the series for this team, a handhold in the glacier.

Can England secure victory at the Gabba? Don’t know. But Joe Root got a hundred. Did Harry Brook play... the worst shot yet? Yes. He did.

This was not merely a hundred in Australia, but a outstanding one in truly tough conditions, an innings that could have saved his team in this series.

It had to start with the wings already falling off, and England’s key batter coming out at a dire 5 for 2. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Dichotomy in the Middle

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

On one side, Root was exuding calm, easy, graceful, watchful. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

Meanwhile, a darkness was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and the swing maestro preparing for the key spell of the day.

A Damaging Stroke

Is it wise to challenge this? Yep. No sighters, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

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

It was at least novel in its utter failure. We have seen England bat in Australia like a rusted machine. Now Brook presented the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Silent Answer

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.

He delivered his own masterful response, a victory for preparation, addressing your flaws.

England are still in this series because he did the thing, offered a lesson in what ability ultimately means.

Are they going to bowl Australia out? Can they evolve? Not sure. But Joe Root made a hundred.