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Finally, the very celebration was flawless, on the field under that unusual vivid blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the game-state – hyper Baz energy, the English lower order scything away death cult-style at the other end.

Right. All that drama. In the middle, Joe Root eased the ball away through fine leg to secure his long-awaited Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Picture trying to explain the reason this was more than warm, uplifting and cathartic, but profoundly significant.

An Achievement Frozen in Time

A player who already had thirty-nine tons in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now registered his fortieth. Yet, follow the narrative, the craft, the twists and turns.

There'll, of course, be plenty of discussion stuff to be settled. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Is he *Australian* great?

But there is something more about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about point-scoring. Every Australian who understands cricket already knows Root is a world-class cricketer.

Root's Century as a Reliable Handhold

This ton felt meaningful in other ways, not least 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. Was Harry Brook's dismissal the poorest shot? Yes. He did.

This was not merely a hundred in Australia, but a outstanding one in authentically 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 two wickets down for five runs. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Crease

In the afternoon session, England were in a reasonable position. Two embodiments of elite Yorkshire grit at the crease.

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

All the while, a dusk was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and the swing maestro revving up for the pivotal spell of the day.

A Costly Choice

Is it wise to challenge this? Yes. No settling in, no feet. Just a flash of the bat first up.

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

It was at least novel in its utter failure. We've witnessed England bat in Australia without fluidity. This was Brook as the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Silent Rebuke

And so one half of this England team continued to collapse, while at the other end Root batted not just for his life, but for the entire innings.

He offered his own masterful response, a victory for diligence, correcting your flaws.

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

Are they going to bowl Australia out? Will they adapt? Uncertain. But Joe Root did score a hundred.