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In the end, the very celebration was perfect, out there under that unusual deep-blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the contest – manic Baz energy, England’s lower order scything away in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

Right. All that drama. In the middle, Joe Root steered the ball away past fine leg to complete his long-awaited Test hundred in Australia.

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

A Moment Preserved in Time

A man who already had 39 tons in this traditional format of a sport has now compiled his fortieth. But, trace the story, the craft, the setbacks.

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

But there is something further about wanting Root to be great in Australia. It isn't regarding rivalry. Every Australian who knows about cricket already knows Root is a world-class cricketer.

Root's Century as a Reliable Foundation

The century felt meaningful in other ways, not least as something solid in the series for this team, a handhold in the difficulty.

Will England triumph at the Gabba? Uncertain. 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.

It had to start with the wings already falling off, and England’s premier batsman coming out at two wickets down for five runs. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Dichotomy in the Middle

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

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

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

A Costly Stroke

Do you run towards this danger? Yes. No settling in, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

The delivery to Brook was full, the edge healthy. 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 like a rusted machine. This was Brook as the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Steady Answer

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 delivered his own quiet rebuke, a success for preparation, addressing your flaws.

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

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