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Finally, the moment of celebration was ideal, on the field under that unique deep-blue southern sky, within the tumult of the match situation – frantic Baz energy, England’s lower order scything away in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

So yeah. All that stuff. Amidst it all, Joe Root guided 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 the reason this was not just heartwarming, inspiring and cathartic, but quietly epic.

A Moment Caught in Its Own Light

A man who already had thirty-nine tons in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now registered his 40th. Yet, consider the journey, the skill, the jags in the road.

There'll, of course, be much discussion stuff to be hashed out. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

However, there is something further about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning one-upmanship. Every Australian who cares for cricket recognizes Root is a world-class cricketer.

Root's Century as a Solid Foundation

Root’s hundred felt meaningful in other ways, particularly as something tangible in the series for this team, a anchor in the difficulty.

Can England secure victory at the Gabba? Uncertain. But Joe Root got a hundred. Did Harry Brook play... the worst shot yet? Yes. He did.

This was not merely a hundred in Australia, but a brilliant one in genuinely tough conditions, an innings that may have saved his team in this series.

The innings commenced with the wings already falling off, and England’s key batter coming out at 5/2. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Middle

By mid-afternoon, England were 175 for three. Two versions of elite Yorkshire batting at the crease.

At one end, Root was playing his natural game, relaxed, graceful, alert. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

Meanwhile, a darkness was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and the pink ball genius preparing for the pivotal spell of the day.

A Reckless Choice

Should one attack this threat? Apparently so. No sighters, no feet. Just throw the hands at it first up.

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

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

The Veteran's Quiet Rebuke

And so one half of this England team persisted in failing, while at the other end Root batted with immense resolve, but for everyone else’s too.

He offered his own subtle correction, a triumph for doing your homework, correcting your flaws.

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

Will they take twenty wickets? Are they going to learn? Uncertain. But Joe Root made a hundred.