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In the end, the very celebration was flawless, under lights under that unusual deep-blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the game-state – frantic Baz energy, England’s lower order cutting loose with reckless abandon at the other end.

So yeah. All that stuff. In the middle, Joe Root eased the ball away through fine leg to secure his long-awaited Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Consider trying to explain why this was more than heartwarming, uplifting and cleansing, but quietly epic.

A Milestone Preserved in Time

A player who already had 39 hundreds in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now registered his 40th. But, trace the journey, the skill, the twists and turns.

There will, of course, be a lot of debate material to be resolved. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Is he *Australian* great?

Yet there exists something more about wanting Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about point-scoring. Every Australian who cares for cricket recognizes Root is a world-class cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Sturdy Handhold

Root’s hundred felt significant in other ways, not least as something concrete in the series for this team, a anchor in the glacier.

Can England secure victory 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 outstanding one in truly tough conditions, an innings that could have saved his team in this series.

It began with the team in deep trouble, and England’s key batter coming out at two wickets down for five runs. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Crease

By mid-afternoon, England were in a reasonable position. Two examples of elite Yorkshire batting at the crease.

At one end, Root was exuding calm, relaxed, lithe, alert. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

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

A Reckless Decision

Should one attack this threat? Apparently so. No settling in, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

The ball to Brook was full, the edge clear. There is no scenario where this was a good choice.

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

Root's Quiet Response

And so one half of this England team persisted in failing, while at the other end Root batted with immense resolve, but for the entire innings.

Root provided his own masterful response, a triumph for preparation, addressing your flaws.

The tourists are still in this series because he did the thing, provided a lesson in what ability ultimately means.

Will they take twenty wickets? Are they going to learn? Not sure. But Joe Root did score a hundred.