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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 – frantic Baz energy, England’s lower order scything away in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

So yeah. All that stuff. In the middle, the veteran batsman eased the ball away to fine leg to secure his long-awaited Test hundred in Australia.

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

A Moment Caught in Time

A batsman who already had thirty-nine tons in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now scored his 40th. But, consider the story, the artistry, the twists and turns.

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

Yet there exists something more about wishing for Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning point-scoring. Every Australian who knows about cricket already knows Root is a world-class cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Reliable Anchor

This ton felt meaningful in other ways, particularly as something tangible in the series for this team, a anchor in the ice.

Will England triumph at the Gabba? Uncertain. 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 outstanding one in genuinely tough conditions, an innings that could have saved his team in this series.

It had to start with the early wickets tumbling, and England’s premier batsman coming out at 5/2. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Middle

By mid-afternoon, England were 3/175. Two embodiments of elite Yorkshire batting at the crease.

On one side, Root was playing his natural game, relaxed, graceful, watchful. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

Throughout, a gloom was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and the swing maestro revving up for the key spell of the day.

A Reckless Decision

Should one attack this threat? Apparently so. No settling in, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

The delivery to Brook was full, the edge thick. There is no context where this was a sensible choice.

It was, if nothing else, novel in its abjectness. We've witnessed England bat in Australia like the Tin Man. Now Brook presented the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Steady Response

Thus one half of this England team kept faltering, while at the other end Root batted not just for his life, but for the team's cause.

He delivered his own quiet rebuke, a victory for preparation, correcting your flaws.

The tourists are still in this series because he did the thing, provided a lesson in what skill ultimately means.

Can they dismiss Australia? Are they going to learn? Not sure. But Joe Root did score a hundred.