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Finally, even the celebration was perfect, on the field under that strange deep-blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the match situation – frantic Baz energy, England’s lower order cutting loose in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

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

However, for those who understand, the significance is clear. Picture trying to explain the reason this was not just heartwarming, uplifting and cathartic, but profoundly significant.

A Moment Preserved in Its Own Light

A man who already had thirty-nine tons in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now registered his 40th. However, trace the story, the craft, the jags in the road.

There'll, of course, be much debate stuff to be settled. Is Joe Root finally great? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

However, there is something more about wishing for Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about one-upmanship. Every Australian who cares for cricket already knows Root is a exceptional cricketer.

Root's Hundred as a Reliable Anchor

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

Will England triumph at the Gabba? Don’t know. But Joe Root got a hundred. Was Harry Brook's dismissal the poorest shot? Yes. He did.

And not just a hundred in Australia, but a superb one in authentically tough conditions, an innings that could have saved his team in this series.

The innings commenced with the wings already falling off, and England’s premier batsman coming out at 5/2. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Crease

As the day progressed, England were in a reasonable position. Two versions of elite Yorkshire grit at the crease.

On one side, Root was playing his natural game, easy, graceful, alert. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

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

A Reckless Choice

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 clear. There is no context where this was a smart choice.

It was, if nothing else, novel in its utter failure. We've witnessed England bat in Australia like a rusted machine. This was Brook as the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Silent Rebuke

And so one half of this England team continued to collapse, while at the other end Root batted not just for his life, but for everyone else’s too.

Root provided his own masterful response, a triumph for preparation, correcting your flaws.

England are still in this series because he achieved the milestone, provided a lesson in what skill truly means.

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