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In the end, even the celebration was perfect, under lights under that unique intense blue southern sky, within the tumult of the contest – manic Baz energy, England’s lower order scything away in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

So yeah. All that stuff. At the heart, Joe Root guided the ball away to fine leg to complete his first Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Imagine trying to explain why this was more than heartwarming, uplifting and cleansing, but profoundly significant.

An Achievement Frozen in Time

A man who already possessed thirty-nine centuries in this traditional format of a sport has now scored his fortieth. But, follow the story, the artistry, the twists and turns.

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

Yet there exists something deeper about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about point-scoring. Any Australian who cares for cricket recognizes Root is a world-class cricketer.

Root's Century as a Reliable Foundation

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

Are England going to win 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 outstanding one in authentically 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 5/2. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Dichotomy in the Crease

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

At one end, Root was playing his natural game, easy, graceful, alert. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

Throughout, a gloom was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and Mitchell Starc revving up for the crucial spell of the day.

A Damaging Choice

Should one attack this threat? Yep. No settling in, no feet. Just throw the hands at it first up.

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

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

Root's Quiet Rebuke

Thus one half of this England team continued to collapse, while at the other end Root batted not just for his life, but for the entire innings.

Root provided his own subtle correction, a success for preparation, addressing your flaws.

The tourists are still in this series because he scaled the peak, offered a lesson in what skill in the end means.

Can they dismiss Australia? Will they adapt? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.