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Finally, even the celebration was ideal, under lights under that unusual deep-blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the match situation – hyper Baz energy, England’s lower order scything away death cult-style at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. At the heart, the former captain eased the ball away to fine leg to complete his first Test hundred in Australia.

Yet, the true meaning resonates with those who have followed the journey. Consider trying to explain the reason this was more than heartwarming, uplifting and cleansing, but subtly monumental.

A Moment Preserved in Time

A man who already had thirty-nine centuries in this traditional format of a sport has now compiled his 40th. However, follow the narrative, the craft, the jags in the road.

There will, of course, be a lot of debate stuff to be settled. Is Joe Root finally great? Is he *Australian* great?

But there is something more about wanting Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning one-upmanship. Any Australian who cares for cricket is well aware Root is a exceptional cricketer.

The Captain's Hundred as a Solid Handhold

The century felt meaningful in other ways, particularly as something concrete in the series for this team, a foothold in the glacier.

Are England going to win at the Gabba? It's unclear. 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 truly tough conditions, an innings that could have saved his team in this series.

The innings commenced with the team in deep trouble, and England’s premier batsman coming out at a dire 5 for 2. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Dichotomy in the Middle

By mid-afternoon, England were 175 for three. Two embodiments of elite Yorkshire batting 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.

All the while, a darkness was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and Mitchell Starc building up for the pivotal spell of the day.

A Costly Decision

Should one attack this threat? Apparently so. No settling in, no feet. Just a flash of the bat first up.

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

It was, if nothing else, novel in its complete misjudgment. We have seen England bat in Australia without fluidity. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Steady Response

Thus one half of this England team kept faltering, while at the other end Root batted not just for his life, but for everyone else’s too.

He delivered his own quiet rebuke, a triumph for preparation, correcting your flaws.

The tourists are still in this series because he scaled the peak, offered a lesson in what talent in the end means.

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