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In the end, the very celebration was ideal, under lights under that unusual vivid blue southern sky, within the tumult of the contest – hyper Baz energy, England’s lower order swinging freely death cult-style at the other end.

Right. All that drama. At the heart, the former captain eased the ball away past fine leg to complete his maiden Test hundred in Australia.

However, for those who understand, the significance is clear. Imagine trying to explain the reason this was not just warm, inspiring and cathartic, but profoundly significant.

An Achievement Preserved in Time

A player who already possessed 39 centuries in this traditional format of a sport has now scored his 40th. However, trace the journey, the craft, the twists and turns.

There'll, of course, be much discussion stuff to be hashed out. Is Joe Root finally great? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

However, there is something more about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning rivalry. Any Australian who knows about cricket is well aware Root is a exceptional cricketer.

Root's Hundred as a Solid Anchor

The century felt significant in other ways, particularly as something tangible in the series for this team, a anchor in the difficulty.

Will England triumph at the Gabba? Uncertain. 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 brilliant one in genuinely 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 premier batsman coming out at 5/2. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Crease

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

At one end, Root was playing his natural game, easy, lithe, alert. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

Meanwhile, a dusk was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and the pink ball genius revving up for the crucial spell of the day.

A Reckless Decision

Do you run towards this danger? Yes. No sighters, no feet. Just a flash of the bat first up.

The delivery 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've witnessed England bat in Australia like the Tin Man. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Silent Response

Thus one half of this England team continued to collapse, while at the other end Root batted with immense resolve, but for the entire innings.

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

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

Are they going to bowl Australia out? Will they adapt? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.