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Ultimately, even the celebration was perfect, under lights under that unique vivid blue southern sky, within the tumult of the match situation – hyper Baz energy, the English lower order cutting loose in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

Right. All that drama. At the heart, the former captain eased the ball away to fine leg to secure his long-awaited Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Picture trying to explain the reason this was more than heartwarming, inspiring and cathartic, but profoundly significant.

A Moment Caught in Time

A batsman who already possessed 39 tons in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now registered his 40th. Yet, consider the journey, the craft, the twists and turns.

There will, of course, be plenty of discussion stuff to be settled. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

But there is something more about wishing for Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning one-upmanship. Every Australian who cares for cricket recognizes Root is a exceptional cricketer.

Root's Century as a Reliable Handhold

The century felt important in other ways, especially as something solid in the series for this team, a handhold in the glacier.

Can England secure victory at the Gabba? Uncertain. But Joe Root got a hundred. Did Harry Brook produce a disastrous stroke? Yes. He did.

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

It began with the team in deep trouble, and England’s greatest modern player coming out at a dire 5 for 2. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Middle

In the afternoon session, England were in a reasonable position. Two examples of elite Yorkshire batting at the crease.

At one end, Root was exuding calm, easy, graceful, watchful. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

All the while, a gloom was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and the swing maestro building up for the key spell of the day.

A Damaging Decision

Do you run towards this danger? Yep. No sighters, no feet. Just throw the hands at it first up.

The delivery to Brook was full-length, the edge thick. There is no world where this was a smart choice.

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

Root's Steady Rebuke

Thus one half of this England team persisted in failing, while at the other end Root batted with immense resolve, but for the team's cause.

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

England are still in this series because he achieved the milestone, delivered a lesson in what ability in the end means.

Will they take twenty wickets? Will they adapt? Not sure. But Joe Root did score a hundred.