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Finally, even the celebration was perfect, under lights under that unusual vivid blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the match situation – hyper Baz energy, England’s lower order scything away in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

Right. All that drama. In the middle, Joe Root guided the ball away through 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 why this was more than warm, inspiring and cleansing, but profoundly significant.

An Achievement Frozen in Its Own Light

A batsman who already had thirty-nine centuries in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now registered his fortieth. Yet, consider the narrative, the skill, the jags in the road.

There will, of course, be much debate talk to be resolved. Is Joe Root finally great? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

Yet there exists something further about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. It isn't regarding one-upmanship. Any Australian who cares for cricket is well aware Root is a world-class cricketer.

The Captain's Hundred as a Reliable Anchor

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

Will England triumph at the Gabba? Don’t know. But Joe Root got a hundred. Did Harry Brook play... the worst shot yet? Yes. He did.

This was not merely a hundred in Australia, but a superb one in authentically tough conditions, an innings that might just have saved his team in this series.

The innings commenced with the team in deep trouble, and England’s key batter coming out at 5/2. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Crease

In the afternoon session, England were 3/175. Two versions of elite Yorkshire grit at the crease.

At one end, Root was playing his natural game, relaxed, lithe, watchful. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

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

A Costly Stroke

Is it wise to challenge this? Apparently so. No sighters, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

The delivery to Brook was full-length, the edge thick. There is no context where this was a smart choice.

It was, if nothing else, novel in its complete misjudgment. We've witnessed England bat in Australia without fluidity. 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 not just for his life, but for everyone else’s too.

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

The tourists are still in this series because he achieved the milestone, offered a lesson in what talent truly means.

Are they going to bowl Australia out? Can they evolve? Not sure. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.