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In the end, the moment of celebration was flawless, out there under that unique deep-blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the game-state – manic Baz energy, England’s lower order scything away with reckless abandon at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. Amidst it all, Joe Root guided the ball away through fine leg to complete his maiden Test hundred in Australia.

Yet, the true meaning resonates with those who have followed the journey. Imagine trying to explain why this was more than warm, inspiring and cleansing, but subtly monumental.

A Moment Frozen in Its Own Light

A player who already had 39 hundreds in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now registered his 40th. Yet, follow the journey, the craft, the setbacks.

There'll, of course, be plenty of discussion material to be settled. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

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

The Captain's Century as a Reliable Foundation

Root’s hundred felt significant in other ways, especially as something concrete in the series for this team, a anchor in the ice.

Can England secure victory at the Gabba? Uncertain. But Joe Root got a hundred. Was Harry Brook's dismissal the poorest shot? Yes. He did.

This was not merely a hundred in Australia, but a superb 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. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Middle

By mid-afternoon, England were in a reasonable position. Two versions of elite Yorkshire batting at the crease.

At one end, Root was playing his natural game, relaxed, lithe, alert. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

Meanwhile, a dusk was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and Mitchell Starc building up for the key spell of the day.

A Costly Choice

Is it wise to challenge this? Apparently so. No settling in, no feet. Just a flash of the bat first up.

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

It was at least novel in its utter failure. We have seen England bat in Australia like a rusted machine. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Silent Rebuke

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

He offered his own subtle correction, a triumph for doing your homework, correcting your flaws.

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

Can they dismiss Australia? Can they evolve? Not sure. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.