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Finally, even the celebration was ideal, on the field under that strange deep-blue southern sky, within the tumult of the contest – hyper Baz energy, England’s lower order scything away with reckless abandon at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. In the middle, the former captain eased the ball away past fine leg to complete his long-awaited Test hundred in Australia.

Yet, the true meaning resonates with those who have followed the journey. Picture trying to explain why this was not just heartwarming, uplifting and cathartic, but quietly epic.

A Milestone Preserved in Time

A player who already possessed thirty-nine tons in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now scored his fortieth. However, trace the journey, the craft, the jags in the road.

There'll, of course, be plenty of banter-war talk to be settled. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Is he *Australian* great?

However, there is something deeper about wanting Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about rivalry. Any Australian who understands cricket already knows Root is a great cricketer.

The Captain's Hundred as a Solid Handhold

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

Can England secure victory 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 had to start with the wings already falling off, and England’s key batter coming out at two wickets down for five runs. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Crease

In the afternoon session, England were 3/175. Two versions of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

On one side, Root was exuding calm, relaxed, graceful, alert. 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 Mitchell Starc building up for the crucial spell of the day.

A Reckless Choice

Is it wise to challenge this? Yes. No sighters, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

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

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

Root's Silent Response

Thus one half of this England team continued to collapse, while at the other end Root batted not just for his life, but for the team's cause.

Root provided his own masterful response, a success for preparation, working at your flaws.

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

Will they take twenty wickets? Will they adapt? Uncertain. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.