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Ultimately, even the celebration was flawless, out there under that unusual deep-blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the contest – frantic Baz energy, the English lower order scything away in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. In the middle, the veteran batsman steered the ball away to fine leg to notch his first Test hundred in Australia.

Yet, the true meaning resonates with those who have followed the journey. Picture trying to explain why this was more than warm, inspiring and cleansing, but profoundly significant.

A Moment Preserved in Its Own Light

A batsman who already possessed thirty-nine centuries in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now scored his fortieth. Yet, follow the story, the craft, the setbacks.

There'll, of course, be much discussion talk to be settled. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

However, there is something deeper about wanting Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning point-scoring. Every Australian who understands cricket is well aware Root is a exceptional cricketer.

Root's Hundred as a Reliable 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? 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 outstanding one in truly tough conditions, an innings that might just have saved his team in this series.

It had to start with the wings already falling off, and England’s greatest modern player coming out at a dire 5 for 2. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Dichotomy in the Middle

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

At one end, Root was exuding calm, relaxed, lithe, alert. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

Meanwhile, a gloom was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and the swing maestro revving up for the pivotal spell of the day.

A Costly Stroke

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

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

It was, if nothing else, novel in its abjectness. We have seen England bat in Australia like a rusted machine. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Silent Rebuke

Therefore one half of this England team persisted in failing, while at the other end Root batted with immense resolve, but for everyone else’s too.

He offered his own masterful response, a success for diligence, working at your flaws.

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

Will they take twenty wickets? Are they going to learn? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root made a hundred.