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In the end, even the celebration was ideal, out there under that unusual deep-blue southern sky, within the tumult of the match situation – hyper Baz energy, England’s lower order swinging freely in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

Right. All that drama. Amidst it all, the veteran batsman eased the ball away through fine leg to notch his maiden Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Picture trying to explain why this was more than warm, inspiring and cathartic, but quietly epic.

A Moment Caught in Time

A man who already had 39 tons in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now registered his fortieth. Yet, trace the narrative, the artistry, the jags in the road.

There will, of course, be plenty of discussion stuff to be resolved. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

However, there is something deeper about wishing for Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning one-upmanship. Any Australian who knows about cricket already knows Root is a great cricketer.

Root's Century as a Sturdy Handhold

The century felt meaningful in other ways, not least as something tangible in the series for this team, a handhold in the ice.

Will England triumph at the Gabba? Uncertain. But Joe Root got a hundred. Did Harry Brook produce a disastrous stroke? Yes. He did.

And not just a hundred in Australia, but a outstanding one in truly 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 key batter coming out at two wickets down for five runs. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Crease

As the day progressed, England were in a reasonable position. Two examples of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

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

Meanwhile, a darkness was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and the swing maestro preparing for the pivotal spell of the day.

A Reckless Choice

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

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

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

The Veteran's Silent Rebuke

Therefore 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 delivered his own masterful response, a victory for diligence, working at your flaws.

The tourists are still in this series because he achieved the milestone, provided a lesson in what ability in the end means.

Can they dismiss Australia? Are they going to learn? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root did score a hundred.