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Finally, the very celebration was perfect, on the field under that unique vivid blue southern sky, within the tumult of the match situation – frantic Baz energy, England’s lower order cutting loose death cult-style at the other end.

Right. All that drama. Amidst it all, Joe Root steered the ball away to fine leg to complete his maiden Test hundred in Australia.

However, for those who understand, the significance is clear. Consider trying to explain why this was more than heartwarming, inspiring and cleansing, but quietly epic.

A Moment Preserved in Time

A batsman who already had thirty-nine hundreds in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now compiled his fortieth. But, trace the story, the skill, the jags in the road.

There will, of course, be plenty of banter-war material to be hashed out. Is Joe Root finally great? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

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

Root's Hundred as a Sturdy Handhold

The century felt important in other ways, particularly as something solid in the series for this team, a anchor in the ice.

Can England secure victory at the Gabba? Uncertain. But Joe Root got a hundred. Did Harry Brook produce a disastrous stroke? Yes. He did.

This was not merely a hundred in Australia, but a brilliant one in genuinely 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 premier batsman coming out at two wickets down for five runs. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Crease

As the day progressed, England were in a reasonable position. Two examples of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

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

Meanwhile, 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? Apparently so. No sighters, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

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

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

The Veteran's Steady Rebuke

Thus one half of this England team continued to collapse, while at the other end Root batted with immense resolve, but for everyone else’s too.

He offered his own quiet rebuke, a triumph for diligence, correcting your flaws.

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

Can they dismiss Australia? Are they going to learn? Uncertain. But Joe Root did score a hundred.