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Ultimately, the moment of celebration was flawless, under lights under that strange deep-blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the game-state – frantic Baz energy, the English lower order cutting loose death cult-style at the other end.

So yeah. All that stuff. At the heart, Joe Root eased the ball away to fine leg to notch his first Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Consider trying to explain why this was not just warm, inspiring and cleansing, but subtly monumental.

An Achievement Frozen in Time

A man who already had thirty-nine centuries in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now scored his fortieth. However, follow the journey, the craft, the jags in the road.

There will, of course, be much banter-war stuff to be settled. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

Yet there exists something deeper about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning one-upmanship. Every Australian who cares for cricket is well aware Root is a exceptional cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Solid Anchor

Root’s hundred felt significant in other ways, not least as something tangible in the series for this team, a handhold in the difficulty.

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

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

It had to start with the team in deep trouble, and England’s key batter coming out at a dire 5 for 2. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Crease

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

At one end, Root was simply being himself, relaxed, 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 preparing for the crucial spell of the day.

A Costly Choice

Is it wise to challenge this? Yep. No settling in, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

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

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

The Veteran's Quiet Answer

Thus one half of this England team persisted in failing, while at the other end Root batted for survival, but for everyone else’s too.

He delivered his own subtle correction, a victory for preparation, correcting your flaws.

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

Will they take twenty wickets? Are they going to learn? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root made a hundred.