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In the end, the very celebration was ideal, under lights under that strange intense blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the match situation – hyper Baz energy, the English lower order cutting loose death cult-style at the other end.

So yeah. All that stuff. At the heart, the veteran batsman steered the ball away to fine leg to complete his maiden Test hundred in Australia.

Yet, the true meaning resonates with those who have followed the journey. Picture trying to explain the reason this was not just heartwarming, inspiring and cleansing, but subtly monumental.

An Achievement Caught in Its Own Light

A batsman who already possessed 39 hundreds in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now scored his 40th. However, trace the story, the artistry, the setbacks.

There'll, of course, be much debate talk to be resolved. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Is he *Australian* great?

But there is something deeper about wanting Root to be great in Australia. It isn't regarding point-scoring. Any Australian who cares for cricket is well aware Root is a great cricketer.

Root's Century as a Sturdy Anchor

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

Will England triumph 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 might just have saved his team in this series.

It had to start with the team in deep trouble, and England’s greatest modern player coming out at a dire 5 for 2. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Middle

As the day progressed, England were 3/175. Two embodiments of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

At one end, Root was exuding calm, relaxed, graceful, alert. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

Throughout, a gloom was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and the pink ball genius preparing for the key spell of the day.

A Damaging Stroke

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

The delivery to Brook was full, the edge healthy. There is no scenario 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. This was Brook as the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Steady Response

Thus one half of this England team persisted in failing, while at the other end Root batted with immense resolve, but for the entire innings.

Root provided his own subtle correction, a success for doing your homework, working at your flaws.

England are still in this series because he scaled the peak, provided a lesson in what ability in the end means.

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