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Ultimately, the moment of celebration was perfect, on the field under that unusual deep-blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the game-state – frantic Baz energy, England’s lower order cutting loose death cult-style at the other end.

Right. All that drama. At the heart, the former captain steered the ball away past fine leg to complete his long-awaited Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Consider trying to explain the reason this was not just warm, inspiring and cleansing, but quietly epic.

An Achievement Frozen in Its Own Light

A man who already possessed thirty-nine tons in this traditional format of a sport has now scored his 40th. Yet, follow the story, the skill, the jags in the road.

There will, of course, be a lot of discussion stuff to be resolved. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

However, there is something more about wishing for Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about one-upmanship. Every Australian who cares for cricket recognizes Root is a great cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Sturdy Handhold

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

Are England going to win at the Gabba? Don’t know. 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 genuinely 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 greatest modern player coming out at 5/2. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Middle

As the day progressed, England were 175 for three. Two embodiments of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

At one end, Root was exuding calm, easy, lithe, alert. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

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

A Reckless Choice

Should one attack this threat? Yes. 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 scenario where this was a sensible choice.

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

Root's Steady Answer

And so one half of this England team persisted in failing, while at the other end Root batted for survival, but for the team's cause.

He delivered his own subtle correction, a victory for doing your homework, addressing your flaws.

The tourists are still in this series because he did the thing, provided a lesson in what talent truly means.

Can they dismiss Australia? Are they going to learn? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root did score a hundred.