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Ultimately, the very celebration was flawless, under lights under that unusual vivid blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the game-state – manic Baz energy, the English lower order scything away death cult-style at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. At the heart, the veteran batsman steered the ball away to fine leg to notch his maiden Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Imagine trying to explain why this was more than warm, uplifting and cleansing, but subtly monumental.

A Moment Frozen in Its Own Light

A man who already had 39 tons in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now scored his fortieth. But, follow the story, the craft, the setbacks.

There'll, of course, be a lot of debate material to be settled. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

However, there is something more about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. It isn't regarding one-upmanship. Every Australian who understands cricket already knows Root is a great cricketer.

The Captain's Hundred as a Solid Handhold

The century felt important in other ways, not least as something concrete in the series for this team, a anchor in the ice.

Can England secure victory 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 superb one in authentically 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 a dire 5 for 2. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Middle

As the day progressed, England were 175 for three. Two examples of elite Yorkshire batting at the crease.

At one end, Root was simply being himself, easy, graceful, alert. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

Meanwhile, a darkness was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and the swing maestro preparing for the key spell of the day.

A Damaging Decision

Should one attack this threat? Apparently so. No settling in, no feet. Just a flash of the bat first up.

The delivery to Brook was full, the edge clear. There is no world where this was a smart choice.

It was at least novel in its complete misjudgment. We've witnessed England bat in Australia like a rusted machine. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Silent Response

And so one half of this England team kept faltering, while at the other end Root batted not just for his life, but for everyone else’s too.

Root provided his own masterful response, a victory for diligence, correcting your flaws.

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

Are they going to bowl Australia out? Can they evolve? Uncertain. But Joe Root made a hundred.