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Ultimately, the moment of celebration was ideal, out there under that strange deep-blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the contest – hyper Baz energy, England’s lower order swinging freely death cult-style at the other end.

So yeah. All that stuff. Amidst it all, the veteran batsman guided the ball away through fine leg to complete his first Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Consider trying to explain the reason this was not just warm, inspiring and cleansing, but subtly monumental.

A Moment Caught in Its Own Light

A man who already had 39 centuries in this traditional format of a sport has now scored his fortieth. However, trace the narrative, the craft, the jags in the road.

There'll, of course, be much banter-war talk to be hashed out. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

But there is something further about wanting Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning point-scoring. Any Australian who understands cricket is well aware Root is a great cricketer.

Root's Century as a Sturdy Foundation

This ton felt important in other ways, particularly as something tangible in the series for this team, a anchor in the glacier.

Will England triumph 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 outstanding one in authentically tough conditions, an innings that may 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 a dire 5 for 2. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Middle

By mid-afternoon, England were in a reasonable position. Two versions of elite Yorkshire grit at the crease.

On one side, Root was exuding calm, relaxed, graceful, alert. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

Throughout, a darkness was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and the swing maestro revving up for the crucial spell of the day.

A Damaging Stroke

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

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

It was, if nothing else, novel in its complete misjudgment. We have seen England bat in Australia like the Tin Man. This was Brook as the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Quiet Response

And so one half of this England team persisted in failing, while at the other end Root batted with immense resolve, but for the team's cause.

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

The tourists are still in this series because he achieved the milestone, delivered a lesson in what talent ultimately means.

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