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In the end, the moment of celebration was perfect, under lights under that unusual intense blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the game-state – frantic Baz energy, England’s lower order cutting loose in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. In the middle, Joe Root steered the ball away through fine leg to notch his long-awaited Test hundred in Australia.

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

A Moment Caught in Its Own Light

A man who already had thirty-nine hundreds in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now scored his fortieth. But, trace the journey, the artistry, the jags in the road.

There will, of course, be much debate stuff to be settled. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

However, there is something more about wishing for Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning point-scoring. Any Australian who knows about cricket recognizes Root is a world-class cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Solid Anchor

This ton felt significant in other ways, not least as something concrete in the series for this team, a handhold in the glacier.

Will England triumph at the Gabba? Don’t know. 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 authentically tough conditions, an innings that might just have saved his team in this series.

The innings commenced with the team in deep trouble, and England’s premier batsman coming out at two wickets down for five runs. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Crease

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

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

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

A Reckless Stroke

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

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

It was at least novel in its abjectness. We have seen England bat in Australia like the Tin Man. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Quiet Response

And so one half of this England team continued to collapse, while at the other end Root batted not just for his life, but for everyone else’s too.

Root provided his own subtle correction, a victory for doing your homework, correcting your flaws.

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

Can they dismiss Australia? Are they going to learn? Uncertain. But Joe Root made a hundred.