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Ultimately, the moment of celebration was flawless, on the field under that strange intense blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the contest – manic Baz energy, England’s lower order swinging freely death cult-style at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. At the heart, the former captain guided the ball away past fine leg to complete his first Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Consider trying to explain why this was not just heartwarming, uplifting and cleansing, but subtly monumental.

A Milestone Frozen in Its Own Light

A batsman who already had thirty-nine tons in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now scored his 40th. However, trace the narrative, the craft, the jags in the road.

There will, of course, be much banter-war talk to be resolved. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Is he *Australian* great?

Yet there exists something more about wishing for Root to be great in Australia. It isn't regarding rivalry. Every Australian who understands cricket already knows Root is a world-class cricketer.

The Captain's Hundred as a Solid Foundation

This ton felt important in other ways, not least as something concrete in the series for this team, a foothold in the ice.

Are England going to win at the Gabba? It's unclear. 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 brilliant one in genuinely tough conditions, an innings that might just have saved his team in this series.

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

The Contrast in the Crease

In the afternoon session, England were 175 for three. Two embodiments of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

On one side, Root was simply being himself, relaxed, lithe, alert. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

Throughout, a dusk was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and the swing maestro preparing for the crucial spell of the day.

A Costly Stroke

Should one attack this threat? 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 scenario where this was a smart choice.

It was at least novel in its utter failure. We have seen England bat in Australia without fluidity. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Silent Rebuke

Thus one half of this England team continued to collapse, while at the other end Root batted with immense resolve, but for everyone else’s too.

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

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

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