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In the end, even the celebration was perfect, under lights under that unique vivid blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the game-state – frantic Baz energy, England’s lower order swinging freely death cult-style at the other end.

So yeah. All that stuff. At the heart, the former captain guided the ball away past fine leg to secure his first Test hundred in Australia.

Yet, the true meaning resonates with those who have followed the journey. Imagine trying to explain why this was not just heartwarming, inspiring and cathartic, but quietly epic.

A Moment Frozen in Its Own Light

A batsman who already possessed 39 hundreds in this traditional format of a sport has now registered his fortieth. But, consider the narrative, the artistry, the setbacks.

There'll, of course, be a lot of debate talk to be settled. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

Yet there exists something more about wishing for Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning rivalry. Any Australian who cares for cricket is well aware Root is a great cricketer.

Root's Century as a Sturdy Foundation

This ton felt important in other ways, especially as something concrete in the series for this team, a anchor in the glacier.

Will England triumph at the Gabba? It's unclear. 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 brilliant one in genuinely tough conditions, an innings that could have saved his team in this series.

The innings commenced with the team in deep trouble, and England’s premier batsman 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 175 for three. Two examples of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

On one side, Root was exuding calm, relaxed, lithe, alert. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

Meanwhile, a gloom was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and Mitchell Starc revving up for the key spell of the day.

A Reckless Decision

Do you run towards this danger? Yes. No sighters, no feet. Just a flash of the bat first up.

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

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

The Veteran's Steady Rebuke

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

He delivered his own subtle correction, a victory for diligence, working at your flaws.

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

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