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In the end, even the celebration was ideal, out there under that unusual vivid blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the match situation – manic Baz energy, the English lower order cutting loose death cult-style at the other end.

So yeah. All that stuff. In the middle, the veteran batsman guided the ball away to fine leg to secure his long-awaited Test hundred in Australia.

However, for those who understand, the significance is clear. Imagine trying to explain the reason this was not just warm, inspiring and cleansing, but quietly epic.

An Achievement Preserved in Time

A batsman who already had 39 tons in this traditional format of a sport has now scored his 40th. Yet, trace the narrative, the craft, the jags in the road.

There'll, of course, be much discussion talk to be resolved. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

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

The Captain's Century as a Sturdy Handhold

The century felt important in other ways, especially as something tangible in the series for this team, a foothold in the difficulty.

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 outstanding 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 greatest modern player coming out at a dire 5 for 2. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Middle

By mid-afternoon, England were 3/175. Two examples of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

On one side, Root was exuding calm, relaxed, lithe, watchful. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

All the while, a darkness was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and the pink ball genius revving up for the key spell of the day.

A Costly Choice

Is it wise to challenge this? Yep. No settling in, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

The ball to Brook was full-length, the edge thick. 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. This was Brook as the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Quiet Answer

Thus one half of this England team persisted in failing, while at the other end Root batted not just for his life, but for everyone else’s too.

He delivered his own quiet rebuke, a success for doing your homework, addressing your flaws.

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

Can they dismiss Australia? Are they going to learn? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root did score a hundred.