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In the end, the moment of celebration was perfect, out there under that strange deep-blue southern sky, within the tumult of the match situation – manic Baz energy, England’s lower order cutting loose with reckless abandon at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. In the middle, the veteran batsman guided the ball away past 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 not just warm, uplifting and cleansing, but quietly epic.

An Achievement Frozen in Its Own Light

A man who already had 39 centuries in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now scored his 40th. Yet, consider the story, the craft, the jags in the road.

There will, of course, be plenty of banter-war material to be settled. Is Joe Root finally great? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

But there is something further about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning one-upmanship. Every Australian who understands cricket already knows Root is a exceptional cricketer.

The Captain's Hundred as a Solid Foundation

This ton felt important in other ways, especially as something tangible in the series for this team, a foothold in the glacier.

Will England triumph 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 outstanding 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 greatest modern player coming out at a dire 5 for 2. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Crease

By mid-afternoon, England were 3/175. Two examples of elite Yorkshire grit at the crease.

On one side, Root was simply being himself, easy, lithe, watchful. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

Meanwhile, a gloom was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and the swing maestro revving up for the crucial spell of the day.

A Costly Stroke

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

The delivery to Brook was full, the edge clear. There is no context where this was a sensible choice.

It was at least novel in its complete misjudgment. We've witnessed England bat in Australia like the Tin Man. This was Brook as the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Silent Response

Therefore one half of this England team persisted in failing, while at the other end Root batted with immense resolve, but for the entire innings.

He offered his own masterful response, a triumph for doing your homework, working at your flaws.

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

Can they dismiss Australia? Are they going to learn? Uncertain. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.