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Ultimately, the moment of celebration was ideal, under lights under that unusual deep-blue southern sky, within the tumult of the contest – manic Baz energy, England’s lower order cutting loose death cult-style at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. Amidst it all, the veteran batsman eased the ball away past fine leg to notch his maiden Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Picture trying to explain the reason this was more than heartwarming, inspiring and cleansing, but subtly monumental.

A Milestone Caught in Its Own Light

A player who already possessed thirty-nine tons in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now registered his fortieth. However, trace the journey, the skill, the twists and turns.

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

But there is something further about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning rivalry. Every Australian who understands cricket recognizes Root is a world-class cricketer.

Root's Hundred as a Reliable Handhold

This ton felt important in other ways, not least as something solid in the series for this team, a foothold in the difficulty.

Can England secure victory at the Gabba? It's unclear. 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 brilliant one in authentically tough conditions, an innings that might just have saved his team in this series.

It had to start with the wings already falling off, and England’s key batter coming out at two wickets down for five runs. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Crease

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

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

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

A Damaging Choice

Do you run towards this danger? Yep. No sighters, no feet. Just throw the hands at it first up.

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

It was, if nothing else, novel in its complete misjudgment. We've witnessed England bat in Australia like a rusted machine. Now Brook presented the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Quiet Response

Thus one half of this England team kept faltering, while at the other end Root batted with immense resolve, but for the team's cause.

He offered his own subtle correction, a triumph for doing your homework, correcting your flaws.

England are still in this series because he scaled the peak, delivered a lesson in what skill truly means.

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