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In the end, the moment of celebration was perfect, under lights under that unusual deep-blue southern sky, within the tumult of the game-state – hyper Baz energy, the English lower order swinging freely with reckless abandon at the other end.

So yeah. All that stuff. Amidst it all, Joe Root steered the ball away to fine leg to secure his long-awaited Test hundred in Australia.

However, for those who understand, the significance is clear. Consider trying to explain the reason this was more than warm, uplifting and cathartic, but profoundly significant.

An Achievement Preserved in Its Own Light

A player who already had 39 tons in this traditional format of a sport has now compiled his fortieth. But, consider the story, the artistry, the twists and turns.

There'll, of course, be much banter-war material to be hashed out. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

However, there is something deeper about wishing for Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about rivalry. Every Australian who knows about cricket recognizes Root is a world-class cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Solid Foundation

Root’s hundred felt important in other ways, not least as something solid in the series for this team, a anchor in the ice.

Are England going to win at the Gabba? Don’t know. But Joe Root got a hundred. Did Harry Brook play... the worst shot yet? 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 began with the team in deep trouble, and England’s greatest modern player coming out at two wickets down for five runs. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Dichotomy in the Middle

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

At one end, Root was simply being himself, easy, graceful, alert. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

Throughout, a dusk was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and the pink ball genius revving up for the pivotal spell of the day.

A Reckless Decision

Is it wise to challenge this? Apparently so. No sighters, no feet. Just a flash of the bat first up.

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

It was at least novel in its complete misjudgment. We have seen England bat in Australia like a rusted machine. Now Brook presented the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root'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 the entire innings.

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

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

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