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Finally, the very celebration was perfect, on the field under that unique intense blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the contest – hyper Baz energy, England’s lower order swinging freely with reckless abandon at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. In the middle, Joe Root eased the ball away through fine leg to notch his maiden Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Imagine trying to explain the reason this was not just warm, uplifting and cleansing, but quietly epic.

A Moment Caught in Its Own Light

A man who already had 39 centuries in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now scored his fortieth. Yet, trace the story, the craft, the setbacks.

There'll, of course, be much discussion material to be resolved. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

Yet there exists something deeper about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about rivalry. Any Australian who cares for cricket recognizes Root is a exceptional cricketer.

Root's Hundred as a Sturdy Handhold

The century felt important in other ways, particularly as something concrete in the series for this team, a anchor in the difficulty.

Are England going to win at the Gabba? It's unclear. 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 brilliant one in truly tough conditions, an innings that could have saved his team in this series.

It had to start with the team in deep trouble, and England’s premier batsman coming out at two wickets down for five runs. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Middle

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

At one end, Root was playing his natural game, easy, graceful, watchful. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

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

A Damaging Stroke

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 context where this was a good choice.

It was, if nothing else, novel in its utter failure. We've witnessed England bat in Australia without fluidity. Now Brook presented the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Quiet Response

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

He offered his own masterful response, a success for preparation, addressing your flaws.

England are still in this series because he scaled the peak, provided a lesson in what talent ultimately means.

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