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Ultimately, even the celebration was flawless, under lights under that strange deep-blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the match situation – manic Baz energy, the English lower order scything away with reckless abandon at the other end.

Right. All that drama. Amidst it all, Joe Root steered the ball away past fine leg to secure his long-awaited Test hundred in Australia.

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

An Achievement Frozen in Its Own Light

A player who already had 39 tons in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now compiled his fortieth. But, trace the narrative, the artistry, the setbacks.

There will, of course, be a lot of debate talk to be hashed out. Is Joe Root finally great? Is he *Australian* great?

But there is something deeper about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about point-scoring. Every Australian who knows about cricket is well aware Root is a great cricketer.

The Captain's Hundred as a Reliable Anchor

Root’s hundred felt significant in other ways, especially as something tangible in the series for this team, a foothold in the difficulty.

Will England triumph at the Gabba? It's unclear. 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 brilliant one in authentically tough conditions, an innings that may have saved his team in this series.

The innings commenced with the early wickets tumbling, and England’s premier batsman coming out at a dire 5 for 2. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Middle

In the afternoon session, England were in a reasonable position. Two versions of elite Yorkshire grit at the crease.

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

All the while, a gloom was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and the pink ball genius preparing 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 delivery to Brook was full-length, the edge thick. There is no context where this was a sensible choice.

It was at least novel in its abjectness. We've witnessed England bat in Australia without fluidity. Now Brook presented the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Silent Response

Thus one half of this England team continued to collapse, while at the other end Root batted with immense resolve, but for the entire innings.

Root provided his own subtle correction, a success for doing your homework, correcting your flaws.

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

Will they take twenty wickets? Are they going to learn? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.