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In the end, the very celebration was ideal, under lights under that unique vivid blue southern sky, within the tumult of the contest – frantic Baz energy, the English lower order swinging freely in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. In the middle, the former captain steered the ball away to fine leg to notch his maiden Test hundred in Australia.

However, for those who understand, the significance is clear. Picture trying to explain the reason this was more than warm, uplifting and cathartic, but quietly epic.

A Moment Frozen in Time

A man who already had 39 hundreds in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now compiled his fortieth. However, consider the narrative, the craft, the setbacks.

There will, of course, be a lot of discussion material to be settled. Is Joe Root finally great? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

But there is something more about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. It isn't regarding one-upmanship. Any Australian who cares for cricket already knows Root is a world-class cricketer.

Root's Century as a Reliable Foundation

The century felt important in other ways, not least as something concrete in the series for this team, a foothold 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 superb one in authentically tough conditions, an innings that could have saved his team in this series.

It began with the team in deep trouble, 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 Middle

By mid-afternoon, England were in a reasonable position. Two versions of elite Yorkshire grit at the crease.

At one end, Root was simply being himself, relaxed, lithe, watchful. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

Meanwhile, a dusk was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and Mitchell Starc preparing for the key spell of the day.

A Costly Choice

Should one attack this threat? Yes. No sighters, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

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

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

Root's Steady Answer

Thus one half of this England team kept faltering, while at the other end Root batted for survival, but for the entire innings.

He offered his own masterful response, a success for doing your homework, addressing your flaws.

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

Are they going to bowl Australia out? Are they going to learn? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root made a hundred.