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In the end, the moment of celebration was flawless, on the field under that unique intense blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the contest – manic Baz energy, the English lower order cutting loose in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

Right. All that drama. At the heart, Joe Root steered the ball away through fine leg to notch his first Test hundred in Australia.

Yet, the true meaning resonates with those who have followed the journey. Consider trying to explain the reason this was not just warm, inspiring and cleansing, but subtly monumental.

An Achievement Frozen in Its Own Light

A batsman who already had 39 hundreds in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now scored his fortieth. But, trace the story, the craft, the jags in the road.

There'll, of course, be plenty of banter-war stuff to be resolved. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

Yet there exists something deeper about wishing for Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about one-upmanship. Every Australian who understands cricket already knows Root is a world-class cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Solid Handhold

Root’s hundred 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? Don’t know. 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 outstanding one in truly tough conditions, an innings that could have saved his team in this series.

It had to start 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 175 for three. Two versions of elite Yorkshire batting at the crease.

At one end, Root was simply being himself, relaxed, graceful, watchful. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

Throughout, a gloom was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and the swing maestro preparing for the pivotal spell of the day.

A Costly Decision

Is it wise to challenge this? Yes. No settling in, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

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

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

The Veteran's Silent Response

And so one half of this England team persisted in failing, while at the other end Root batted for survival, but for everyone else’s too.

He offered his own masterful response, a triumph for preparation, working at your flaws.

The tourists are still in this series because he scaled the peak, delivered a lesson in what talent ultimately means.

Can they dismiss Australia? Can they evolve? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root did score a hundred.