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In the end, the very celebration was perfect, out there under that unusual vivid blue southern sky, within the tumult of the contest – frantic Baz energy, England’s lower order cutting loose with reckless abandon at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. In the middle, Joe Root steered the ball away past fine leg to complete his first Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Picture trying to explain the reason this was not just heartwarming, inspiring and cleansing, but quietly epic.

An Achievement Caught in Its Own Light

A player who already had thirty-nine tons in this traditional format of a sport has now registered his fortieth. But, trace the story, the skill, the twists and turns.

There will, of course, be plenty of banter-war material to be hashed out. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Is he *Australian* great?

However, there is something more about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about one-upmanship. Every Australian who knows about cricket recognizes Root is a exceptional cricketer.

Root's Century as a Solid Handhold

Root’s hundred felt significant in other ways, particularly as something concrete in the series for this team, a foothold 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.

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

The innings commenced with the early wickets tumbling, and England’s premier batsman coming out at a dire 5 for 2. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Crease

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

All the while, a dusk was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and Mitchell Starc building up for the crucial spell of the day.

A Damaging Stroke

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

The delivery to Brook was full, the edge healthy. There is no context where this was a sensible choice.

It was at least novel in its complete misjudgment. We have seen England bat in Australia without fluidity. This was Brook as the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Silent Rebuke

And so one half of this England team persisted in failing, while at the other end Root batted for survival, but for the team's cause.

Root provided his own subtle correction, a victory for doing your homework, correcting your flaws.

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

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