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In the end, the moment of celebration was flawless, on the field under that strange vivid blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the game-state – manic Baz energy, the English lower order scything away death cult-style at the other end.

So yeah. All that stuff. In the middle, Joe Root eased the ball away through fine leg to complete his maiden Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Picture trying to explain why this was not just warm, inspiring and cathartic, but subtly monumental.

A Moment Frozen in Time

A player who already possessed 39 tons in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now scored his fortieth. But, consider the story, the skill, the twists and turns.

There'll, of course, be much banter-war material to be settled. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Is he *Australian* great?

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

Root's Hundred as a Reliable Foundation

Root’s hundred felt important in other ways, especially as something concrete in the series for this team, a anchor in the ice.

Will England triumph at the Gabba? Uncertain. 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 brilliant one in authentically tough conditions, an innings that may 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 Contrast in the Crease

As the day progressed, England were 175 for three. Two examples of elite Yorkshire batting at the crease.

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

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

A Reckless Decision

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

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

It was at least novel in its complete misjudgment. We have seen England bat in Australia like a rusted machine. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Quiet Rebuke

And so one half of this England team kept faltering, while at the other end Root batted with immense resolve, but for the team's cause.

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

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

Will they take twenty wickets? Will they adapt? Uncertain. But Joe Root did score a hundred.