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Finally, the very celebration was ideal, under lights under that unusual vivid blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the contest – hyper Baz energy, the English lower order cutting loose in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. In the middle, the veteran batsman guided the ball away through fine leg to secure his maiden Test hundred in Australia.

Yet, the true meaning resonates with those who have followed the journey. Picture trying to explain the reason this was more than warm, inspiring and cathartic, but profoundly significant.

An Achievement Preserved in Time

A man who already had thirty-nine centuries in this traditional format of a sport has now scored his fortieth. But, trace the narrative, the craft, the jags in the road.

There will, of course, be much discussion talk to be hashed out. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Is he *Australian* great?

However, there is something more about wanting Root to be great in Australia. It isn't regarding point-scoring. Every Australian who understands cricket already knows Root is a world-class cricketer.

Root's Century as a Solid Foundation

This ton felt significant in other ways, not least 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. Did Harry Brook produce a disastrous stroke? Yes. He did.

And not just a hundred in Australia, but a outstanding one in truly tough conditions, an innings that could have saved his team in this series.

It had to start with the wings already falling off, and England’s greatest modern player coming out at a dire 5 for 2. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Middle

As the day progressed, England were 3/175. Two versions of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

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

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

A Costly Stroke

Do you run towards this danger? Apparently so. No settling in, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

The ball to Brook was full, the edge clear. There is no scenario where this was a good choice.

It was at least novel in its utter failure. We have seen England bat in Australia like the Tin Man. Now Brook presented the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Steady Response

Thus one half of this England team persisted in failing, while at the other end Root batted for survival, but for everyone else’s too.

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

The tourists are still in this series because he scaled the peak, provided a lesson in what ability truly means.

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