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Ultimately, even the celebration was ideal, under lights under that unique intense blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the contest – hyper Baz energy, the English lower order swinging freely death cult-style at the other end.

Right. All that drama. At the heart, Joe Root eased the ball away past fine leg to notch his maiden Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Imagine trying to explain why this was not just heartwarming, inspiring and cleansing, but subtly monumental.

A Moment Frozen in Its Own Light

A batsman who already possessed thirty-nine centuries in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now compiled his fortieth. But, follow the journey, the artistry, the jags in the road.

There will, of course, be much banter-war material to be resolved. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

But there is something more about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. It isn't regarding one-upmanship. Every Australian who cares for cricket is well aware Root is a great cricketer.

The Captain's Hundred as a Reliable Handhold

Root’s hundred felt meaningful in other ways, particularly as something solid in the series for this team, a handhold in the ice.

Can England secure victory at the Gabba? Don’t know. 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 might just have saved his team in this series.

The innings commenced with the wings already falling off, and England’s greatest modern player coming out at a dire 5 for 2. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Crease

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

On one side, Root was playing his natural game, relaxed, lithe, watchful. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

Throughout, a darkness was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and Mitchell Starc building up for the key spell of the day.

A Reckless Choice

Is it wise to challenge this? Yes. No sighters, no feet. Just throw the hands at it first up.

The delivery to Brook was full-length, 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 like the Tin Man. Now Brook presented the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Silent Response

Thus one half of this England team kept faltering, while at the other end Root batted not just for his life, but for the team's cause.

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

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

Are they going to bowl Australia out? Can they evolve? Not sure. But Joe Root made a hundred.