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In the end, the moment of celebration was flawless, out there under that unique intense blue southern sky, within the tumult of the game-state – hyper Baz energy, England’s lower order cutting loose death cult-style at the other end.

Right. All that drama. In the middle, the veteran batsman eased the ball away through fine leg to complete his maiden Test hundred in Australia.

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

An Achievement Caught in Time

A player who already had thirty-nine tons in this traditional format of a sport has now scored his fortieth. But, consider the journey, the craft, the jags in the road.

There'll, of course, be much banter-war stuff to be resolved. Is Joe Root finally great? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

But there is something more about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. It isn't regarding point-scoring. Any Australian who cares for cricket already knows Root is a world-class cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Sturdy Foundation

Root’s hundred felt meaningful in other ways, particularly as something concrete in the series for this team, a handhold in the difficulty.

Can England secure victory 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 brilliant one in genuinely tough conditions, an innings that could have saved his team in this series.

It began with the wings already falling off, and England’s key batter coming out at 5/2. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Middle

By mid-afternoon, England were in a reasonable position. Two examples of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

On one side, Root was playing his natural game, relaxed, graceful, alert. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

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

A Reckless Decision

Should one attack this threat? Yep. 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 context where this was a smart choice.

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

Root's Quiet Response

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

Root provided his own quiet rebuke, a success for diligence, addressing your flaws.

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

Are they going to bowl Australia out? Can they evolve? Uncertain. But Joe Root did score a hundred.