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In the end, the very celebration was perfect, out there under that unique intense blue southern sky, within the tumult of the contest – hyper Baz energy, the English lower order scything away in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

Right. All that drama. In the middle, the former captain guided the ball away past fine leg to notch his first 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 heartwarming, inspiring and cleansing, but quietly epic.

A Milestone Caught in Time

A batsman who already had 39 centuries in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now scored his 40th. Yet, consider the narrative, the craft, the setbacks.

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

However, there is something further about wanting Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about rivalry. Every Australian who understands cricket already knows Root is a great cricketer.

Root's Hundred as a Solid Handhold

The century felt important in other ways, especially as something concrete in the series for this team, a handhold in the glacier.

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 genuinely tough conditions, an innings that may have saved his team in this series.

It began with the wings already falling off, and England’s premier batsman coming out at 5/2. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Middle

As the day progressed, England were 175 for three. Two examples of elite Yorkshire grit at the crease.

At one end, Root was simply being himself, relaxed, graceful, watchful. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

Meanwhile, a darkness was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and the swing maestro preparing for the pivotal spell of the day.

A Costly Choice

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

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

It was at least novel in its utter failure. We have seen England bat in Australia without fluidity. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Steady Rebuke

Therefore one half of this England team continued to collapse, while at the other end Root batted not just for his life, but for the team's cause.

Root provided his own quiet rebuke, a success for preparation, working at your flaws.

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

Can they dismiss Australia? Will they adapt? Uncertain. But Joe Root made a hundred.