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In the end, even the celebration was flawless, under lights under that unusual deep-blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the match situation – hyper Baz energy, the English lower order swinging freely death cult-style at the other end.

Right. All that drama. Amidst it all, the former captain guided the ball away to fine leg to notch his long-awaited Test hundred in Australia.

However, for those who understand, the significance is clear. Consider trying to explain the reason this was not just warm, uplifting and cleansing, but profoundly significant.

A Moment Preserved in Time

A player who already possessed 39 centuries in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now scored his 40th. Yet, trace the narrative, the skill, the twists and turns.

There'll, of course, be a lot of debate talk to be hashed out. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

However, there is something further about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning rivalry. Every Australian who knows about cricket is well aware Root is a great cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Solid Anchor

The century felt meaningful in other ways, not least as something solid in the series for this team, a foothold 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 may have saved his team in this series.

It had to start with the early wickets tumbling, and England’s greatest modern player coming out at 5/2. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Middle

In the afternoon session, England were 175 for three. Two versions of elite Yorkshire grit at the crease.

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

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

A Damaging Decision

Do you run towards this danger? Yep. No sighters, no feet. Just a flash of the bat first up.

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

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

The Veteran's Silent Answer

Therefore one half of this England team kept faltering, while at the other end Root batted for survival, but for the team's cause.

He delivered his own quiet rebuke, a victory for diligence, correcting your flaws.

England are still in this series because he achieved the milestone, provided a lesson in what ability truly means.

Are they going to bowl Australia out? Are they going to learn? Not sure. But Joe Root made a hundred.