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In the end, the moment of celebration was perfect, out there under that unique vivid blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the game-state – manic Baz energy, England’s lower order cutting loose death cult-style at the other end.

So yeah. All that stuff. Amidst it all, the veteran batsman guided the ball away past fine leg to complete his first Test hundred in Australia.

However, for those who understand, the significance is clear. Imagine trying to explain why this was not just heartwarming, uplifting and cathartic, but subtly monumental.

An Achievement Caught in Its Own Light

A man who already possessed 39 hundreds in this traditional format of a sport has now scored his 40th. However, trace the journey, the skill, the twists and turns.

There will, of course, be a lot of discussion material to be settled. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Is he *Australian* great?

However, there is something deeper about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. It isn't regarding rivalry. Every Australian who understands cricket is well aware Root is a world-class cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Sturdy Handhold

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

Are England going to win at the Gabba? It's unclear. But Joe Root got a hundred. Did Harry Brook play... the worst shot yet? Yes. He did.

And not just a hundred in Australia, but a outstanding one in genuinely tough conditions, an innings that may have saved his team in this series.

The innings commenced with the team in deep trouble, and England’s key batter coming out at two wickets down for five runs. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Middle

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

On one side, Root was exuding calm, relaxed, graceful, watchful. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

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

A Damaging Choice

Should one attack this threat? Yep. No settling in, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

The delivery to Brook was full-length, the edge healthy. 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 gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Quiet Rebuke

Thus one half of this England team continued to collapse, while at the other end Root batted for survival, but for the team's cause.

He delivered his own masterful response, a triumph for preparation, working at your flaws.

The tourists are still in this series because he did the thing, delivered a lesson in what talent ultimately means.

Will they take twenty wickets? Will they adapt? Not sure. But Joe Root made a hundred.