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Finally, the very celebration was flawless, out there under that strange vivid blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the game-state – hyper Baz energy, England’s lower order scything away with reckless abandon at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. Amidst it all, the veteran batsman guided 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. Imagine trying to explain why this was more than warm, inspiring and cathartic, but profoundly significant.

A Milestone Preserved in Its Own Light

A batsman who already had thirty-nine centuries in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now compiled his 40th. Yet, consider the story, the artistry, the jags in the road.

There will, of course, be much banter-war material to be resolved. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

However, there is something deeper about wanting Root to be great in Australia. It isn't regarding point-scoring. Every Australian who cares for cricket is well aware Root is a exceptional cricketer.

Root's Hundred as a Reliable Foundation

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

Are England going to win at the Gabba? Uncertain. But Joe Root got a hundred. Did Harry Brook play... the worst shot yet? Yes. He did.

And not just a hundred in Australia, but a superb one in truly tough conditions, an innings that may have saved his team in this series.

It had to start with the early wickets tumbling, and England’s greatest modern player coming out at 5/2. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Dichotomy in the Crease

As the day progressed, England were in a reasonable position. Two embodiments of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

At one end, Root was exuding calm, easy, graceful, alert. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

All the while, a gloom was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and the pink ball genius building up for the key spell of the day.

A Costly Stroke

Should one attack this threat? Yep. No settling in, no feet. Just throw the hands at it first up.

The ball to Brook was full, 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 like the Tin Man. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Steady Rebuke

Therefore one half of this England team kept faltering, while at the other end Root batted not just for his life, but for the entire innings.

Root provided his own quiet rebuke, a victory for preparation, addressing your flaws.

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

Are they going to bowl Australia out? Are they going to learn? Not sure. But Joe Root did score a hundred.