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In the end, even the celebration was flawless, out there under that unusual intense blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the game-state – hyper Baz energy, the English lower order scything away in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. In the middle, the veteran batsman guided the ball away past fine leg to notch his maiden Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Consider trying to explain why this was not just heartwarming, uplifting and cathartic, but profoundly significant.

An Achievement Caught in Its Own Light

A batsman who already possessed 39 centuries in this traditional format of a sport has now scored his fortieth. But, follow the narrative, the skill, the jags in the road.

There will, of course, be a lot of discussion stuff to be settled. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

But there is something deeper about wishing for Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about rivalry. Any Australian who cares for cricket is well aware Root is a world-class cricketer.

The Captain's Hundred as a Solid Handhold

The century felt important in other ways, especially as something solid in the series for this team, a foothold 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.

This was not merely a hundred in Australia, but a brilliant one in truly tough conditions, an innings that may have saved his team in this series.

It began 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

In the afternoon session, England were 3/175. Two examples of elite Yorkshire batting at the crease.

At one end, Root was simply being himself, easy, lithe, alert. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

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

A Costly Decision

Should one attack this threat? Yep. No settling in, no feet. Just a flash of the bat first up.

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

It was at least novel in its complete misjudgment. We've witnessed England bat in Australia like a rusted machine. This was Brook as the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Quiet Rebuke

Therefore one half of this England team kept faltering, while at the other end Root batted with immense resolve, but for everyone else’s too.

He offered his own masterful response, a triumph for doing your homework, correcting your flaws.

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

Will they take twenty wickets? Can they evolve? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root made a hundred.