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Finally, the very celebration was ideal, under lights under that strange vivid blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the contest – manic Baz energy, the English lower order swinging freely death cult-style at the other end.

Right. All that drama. Amidst it all, the veteran batsman steered the ball away to fine leg to complete his first 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 cathartic, but profoundly significant.

An Achievement Preserved in Its Own Light

A batsman who already possessed thirty-nine tons in this traditional format of a sport has now scored his 40th. Yet, consider the journey, the skill, the jags in the road.

There will, of course, be a lot of debate talk to be hashed out. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Is he *Australian* great?

However, there is something further about wanting 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 Hundred as a Reliable Handhold

This ton felt important in other ways, particularly as something tangible in the series for this team, a foothold in the difficulty.

Can England secure victory at the Gabba? Don’t know. But Joe Root got a hundred. Was Harry Brook's dismissal the poorest shot? Yes. He did.

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

The innings commenced with the wings already falling off, and England’s key batter coming out at a dire 5 for 2. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Crease

As the day progressed, England were 3/175. Two examples of elite Yorkshire batting at the crease.

At one end, Root was playing his natural game, easy, graceful, watchful. At the other, 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 Mitchell Starc revving up for the pivotal spell of the day.

A Reckless Decision

Do you run towards this danger? Yep. No sighters, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

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

It was, if nothing else, novel in its complete misjudgment. We've witnessed England bat in Australia like a rusted machine. Now Brook presented the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Silent Rebuke

And so one half of this England team persisted in failing, while at the other end Root batted not just for his life, but for everyone else’s too.

He delivered his own masterful response, a victory for doing your homework, working at your flaws.

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

Are they going to bowl Australia out? Will they adapt? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.