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Finally, even the celebration was flawless, on the field under that unusual deep-blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the match situation – manic Baz energy, the English lower order swinging freely death cult-style at the other end.

So yeah. All that stuff. In the middle, the former captain steered the ball away through fine leg to secure his first Test hundred in Australia.

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

A Milestone Caught in Its Own Light

A man who already possessed 39 tons in this traditional format of a sport has now scored his 40th. Yet, consider the narrative, the skill, the twists and turns.

There will, of course, be much banter-war talk to be hashed out. Is Joe Root finally great? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

But there is something deeper about wanting Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about one-upmanship. Every Australian who cares for cricket already knows Root is a exceptional cricketer.

Root's Century as a Reliable Foundation

The century felt significant in other ways, not least as something tangible in the series for this team, a anchor in the glacier.

Will England triumph at the Gabba? Uncertain. But Joe Root got a hundred. Did Harry Brook produce a disastrous stroke? Yes. He did.

This was not merely a hundred in Australia, but a brilliant one in truly tough conditions, an innings that could have saved his team in this series.

The innings commenced with the early wickets tumbling, and England’s key batter coming out at 5/2. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Crease

As the day progressed, England were in a reasonable position. Two examples of elite Yorkshire batting at the crease.

On one side, Root was exuding calm, easy, graceful, watchful. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

All the while, a gloom was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and the pink ball genius building up for the key spell of the day.

A Costly Decision

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 good choice.

It was, if nothing else, novel in its complete misjudgment. We have seen England bat in Australia like a rusted machine. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Quiet 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 masterful response, a triumph for doing your homework, working at your flaws.

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

Can they dismiss Australia? Will they adapt? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root did score a hundred.