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Finally, even the celebration was flawless, out there under that unique vivid blue southern sky, within the tumult of the match situation – manic Baz energy, England’s lower order swinging freely with reckless abandon at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. Amidst it all, Joe Root steered the ball away through fine leg to complete his first Test hundred in Australia.

Yet, the true meaning resonates with those who have followed the journey. Picture trying to explain the reason this was more than heartwarming, inspiring and cathartic, but subtly monumental.

An Achievement Preserved in Time

A player who already had 39 tons in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now compiled his fortieth. However, trace the journey, the artistry, the jags in the road.

There will, of course, be plenty of discussion material to be hashed out. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Is he *Australian* great?

But there is something more about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning one-upmanship. Any Australian who knows about cricket is well aware Root is a great cricketer.

Root's Century as a Solid Anchor

Root’s hundred felt meaningful in other ways, especially as something tangible 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. Did Harry Brook produce a disastrous stroke? Yes. He did.

This was not merely a hundred in Australia, but a outstanding one in genuinely tough conditions, an innings that may have saved his team in this series.

The innings commenced with the team in deep trouble, and England’s key batter coming out at 5/2. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Middle

As the day progressed, England were 3/175. Two examples of elite Yorkshire grit at the crease.

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

Meanwhile, a dusk was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and Mitchell Starc building up for the key spell of the day.

A Costly Choice

Is it wise to challenge this? Yes. No settling in, no feet. Just a flash of the bat first up.

The delivery to Brook was full, the edge healthy. There is no context where this was a sensible 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 Rebuke

And so one half of this England team persisted in failing, while at the other end Root batted for survival, but for everyone else’s too.

He delivered his own masterful response, a success for diligence, correcting your flaws.

England are still in this series because he did the thing, delivered a lesson in what skill truly means.

Will they take twenty wickets? Will they adapt? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.