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Finally, the very celebration was flawless, on the field under that unusual vivid blue southern sky, within the tumult of the match situation – hyper Baz energy, the English lower order cutting loose in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

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

However, for those who understand, the significance is clear. Imagine trying to explain why this was more than warm, uplifting and cathartic, but quietly epic.

An Achievement Preserved in Its Own Light

A man who already had 39 tons in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now registered his fortieth. However, consider the story, the craft, the jags in the road.

There'll, of course, be much debate talk to be settled. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

But there is something deeper about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about one-upmanship. Any Australian who cares for cricket is well aware Root is a great cricketer.

The Captain's Hundred as a Sturdy Handhold

This ton felt important in other ways, not least as something tangible in the series for this team, a handhold in the ice.

Are England going to win 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 genuinely tough conditions, an innings that could have saved his team in this series.

The innings commenced with the team in deep trouble, and England’s key batter coming out at a dire 5 for 2. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Crease

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

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

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

A Damaging Decision

Do you run towards this danger? Yep. No sighters, no feet. Just throw the hands at it first up.

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

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

Root's Quiet Response

Therefore 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.

He offered his own quiet rebuke, a success for diligence, correcting your flaws.

The tourists are still in this series because he did the thing, offered a lesson in what ability truly means.

Are they going to bowl Australia out? Can they evolve? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.