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Ultimately, even the celebration was ideal, on the field under that unique vivid blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the contest – hyper Baz energy, the English lower order cutting loose with reckless abandon at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. In the middle, the veteran batsman eased 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, inspiring and cathartic, but quietly epic.

An Achievement Caught in Its Own Light

A player who already possessed thirty-nine tons in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now compiled his 40th. Yet, trace the story, the artistry, the jags in the road.

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

But there is something further about wishing for Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about point-scoring. Any Australian who knows about cricket is well aware Root is a great cricketer.

The Captain's Hundred as a Solid Foundation

This ton felt significant in other ways, particularly as something concrete in the series for this team, a foothold in the ice.

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.

This was not merely a hundred in Australia, but a brilliant one in authentically tough conditions, an innings that could have saved his team in this series.

It had to start with the early wickets tumbling, and England’s premier batsman coming out at 5/2. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Crease

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

At one end, Root was playing his natural game, easy, lithe, watchful. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

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

A Reckless Choice

Do you run towards this danger? Yes. No sighters, no feet. Just a flash of the bat first up.

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

It was at least novel in its abjectness. We've witnessed England bat in Australia without fluidity. This was Brook as 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 the team's cause.

Root provided his own subtle correction, a success for preparation, correcting your flaws.

England are still in this series because he achieved the milestone, offered a lesson in what ability ultimately means.

Can they dismiss Australia? Can they evolve? Uncertain. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.