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In the end, the moment of celebration was flawless, under lights under that strange intense blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the match situation – manic Baz energy, England’s lower order scything away death cult-style at the other end.

Right. All that drama. In the middle, Joe Root steered the ball away past fine leg to notch his first Test hundred in Australia.

However, for those who understand, the significance is clear. Consider trying to explain the reason this was more than heartwarming, uplifting and cathartic, but subtly monumental.

A Milestone Frozen in Time

A batsman who already possessed thirty-nine centuries in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now compiled his fortieth. Yet, follow the story, the craft, the setbacks.

There will, of course, be much debate stuff to be hashed out. Is Joe Root finally great? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

However, there is something deeper about wanting Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about point-scoring. Every Australian who cares for cricket recognizes Root is a great cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Sturdy Anchor

Root’s hundred felt meaningful in other ways, especially as something solid in the series for this team, a handhold in the difficulty.

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.

This was not merely a hundred in Australia, but a outstanding one in truly 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 premier batsman coming out at two wickets down for five runs. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Middle

As the day progressed, England were 175 for three. Two examples of elite Yorkshire grit at the crease.

On one side, Root was playing his natural game, relaxed, graceful, alert. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

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

A Damaging Choice

Is it wise to challenge this? Apparently so. No settling in, no feet. Just throw the hands at it first up.

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

It was at least novel in its utter failure. We have seen England bat in Australia like the Tin Man. This was Brook as the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Steady Rebuke

And so 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 delivered his own quiet rebuke, a victory for doing your homework, addressing your flaws.

The tourists are still in this series because he achieved the milestone, delivered a lesson in what talent ultimately means.

Will they take twenty wickets? Are they going to learn? Not sure. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.