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Ultimately, even the celebration was perfect, under lights under that unique vivid blue southern sky, within the tumult of the game-state – hyper Baz energy, the English lower order scything away death cult-style at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. Amidst it all, the veteran batsman guided the ball away past fine leg to notch his maiden Test hundred in Australia.

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

A Moment Caught in Time

A man who already had 39 centuries in this traditional format of a sport has now compiled his 40th. But, consider the journey, the craft, the twists and turns.

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

But there is something further about wishing for Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning point-scoring. Any Australian who cares for cricket is well aware Root is a world-class cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Solid Handhold

Root’s hundred felt meaningful in other ways, not least as something tangible in the series for this team, a foothold in the ice.

Are England going to win at the Gabba? Don’t know. 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 brilliant one in genuinely 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. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Dichotomy in the Middle

In the afternoon session, England were 3/175. Two embodiments of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

At one end, Root was exuding calm, easy, lithe, watchful. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

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

A Damaging Decision

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

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

It was at least novel in its utter failure. We've witnessed England bat in Australia without fluidity. Now Brook presented the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Quiet Answer

And so one half of this England team continued to collapse, while at the other end Root batted with immense resolve, but for the entire innings.

He offered his own quiet rebuke, a triumph for doing your homework, working at your flaws.

England are still in this series because he did the thing, offered a lesson in what skill in the end means.

Will they take twenty wickets? Will they adapt? Uncertain. But Joe Root did score a hundred.