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

Right. All that drama. Amidst it all, the former captain guided the ball away past fine leg to complete his maiden Test hundred in Australia.

Yet, the true meaning resonates with those who have followed the journey. Imagine trying to explain the reason this was more than warm, inspiring and cleansing, but profoundly significant.

A Moment Frozen in Its Own Light

A batsman who already had thirty-nine centuries in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now registered his fortieth. Yet, consider the journey, the skill, the setbacks.

There'll, of course, be a lot of debate talk to be hashed out. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

But there is something further about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. It isn't regarding point-scoring. Any Australian who understands cricket already knows Root is a world-class cricketer.

The Captain's Hundred as a Sturdy Handhold

This ton felt significant in other ways, particularly as something concrete in the series for this team, a handhold in the difficulty.

Are England going to win at the Gabba? It's unclear. 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 outstanding one in authentically tough conditions, an innings that might just have saved his team in this series.

It had to start with the wings already falling off, and England’s premier batsman coming out at two wickets down for five runs. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Middle

By mid-afternoon, England were 3/175. Two embodiments of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

On one side, Root was playing his natural game, relaxed, lithe, watchful. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

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

A Damaging Decision

Should one attack this threat? Yep. No sighters, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

The delivery to Brook was full, the edge clear. There is no scenario where this was a smart choice.

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

The Veteran's Silent Response

Thus 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 triumph for doing your homework, correcting your flaws.

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

Are they going to bowl Australia out? Are they going to learn? Uncertain. But Joe Root made a hundred.