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Ultimately, even the celebration was flawless, on the field under that unique vivid blue southern sky, within the tumult of the game-state – hyper Baz energy, England’s lower order cutting loose death cult-style at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. In the middle, the former captain guided the ball away through fine leg to complete his maiden Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Consider trying to explain why this was more than warm, inspiring and cleansing, but quietly epic.

An Achievement Caught in Time

A batsman who already possessed thirty-nine hundreds in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now registered his 40th. However, follow the journey, the skill, the jags in the road.

There will, of course, be much banter-war material to be resolved. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

But there is something further about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. It isn't regarding point-scoring. Any Australian who understands cricket recognizes Root is a great cricketer.

Root's Hundred as a Sturdy Anchor

The century felt important in other ways, particularly as something tangible 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 produce a disastrous stroke? Yes. He did.

And not just a hundred in Australia, but a superb one in truly tough conditions, an innings that could have saved his team in this series.

It had to start with the team in deep trouble, and England’s premier batsman coming out at a dire 5 for 2. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Dichotomy in the Middle

As the day progressed, England were in a reasonable position. Two embodiments of elite Yorkshire batting at the crease.

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

Throughout, a gloom was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and the pink ball genius preparing for the key spell of the day.

A Costly Stroke

Should one attack this threat? Yep. No settling in, no feet. Just a flash of the bat first up.

The delivery to Brook was full-length, the edge clear. There is no context where this was a sensible choice.

It was at least novel in its abjectness. 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 persisted in failing, while at the other end Root batted with immense resolve, but for the entire innings.

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

England are still in this series because he achieved the milestone, provided a lesson in what skill in the end means.

Are they going to bowl Australia out? Can they evolve? Not sure. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.