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Finally, the very celebration was ideal, on the field under that strange intense blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the contest – manic Baz energy, the English lower order scything away death cult-style at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. Amidst it all, the former captain steered the ball away past fine leg to notch his maiden 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 heartwarming, inspiring and cathartic, but profoundly significant.

An Achievement Frozen in Its Own Light

A player who already possessed 39 tons in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now compiled his 40th. However, follow the narrative, the artistry, the jags in the road.

There will, of course, be much banter-war talk to be resolved. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Is he *Australian* great?

However, there is something further about wanting Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning one-upmanship. Any Australian who cares for cricket is well aware Root is a exceptional cricketer.

Root's Hundred as a Reliable Handhold

Root’s hundred felt significant in other ways, not least as something tangible in the series for this team, a anchor in the glacier.

Can England secure victory at the Gabba? It's unclear. But Joe Root got a hundred. Did Harry Brook play... the worst shot yet? 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 wings already falling off, and England’s key batter coming out at two wickets down for five runs. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Dichotomy in the Crease

In the afternoon session, England were 3/175. Two embodiments of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

At one end, Root was playing his natural game, relaxed, lithe, alert. At the other, 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 revving up for the crucial spell of the day.

A Reckless Stroke

Is it wise to challenge this? Yep. No settling in, no feet. Just a flash of the bat first up.

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

It was, if nothing else, novel in its complete misjudgment. We've witnessed England bat in Australia like a rusted machine. 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 entire innings.

Root provided his own subtle correction, a triumph for diligence, correcting your flaws.

England are still in this series because he did the thing, delivered a lesson in what skill ultimately means.

Can they dismiss Australia? Will they adapt? Not sure. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.