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Ultimately, the moment of celebration was flawless, out there under that strange vivid blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the contest – frantic Baz energy, the English lower order swinging freely death cult-style at the other end.

Right. All that drama. In the middle, Joe Root eased the ball away through fine leg to secure his long-awaited Test hundred in Australia.

However, for those who understand, the significance is clear. Picture trying to explain the reason this was not just warm, uplifting and cathartic, but subtly monumental.

A Moment Caught in Its Own Light

A batsman who already had 39 tons in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now scored his 40th. Yet, trace the narrative, the craft, the setbacks.

There'll, of course, be a lot of debate stuff to be resolved. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Is he *Australian* great?

But there is something deeper about wishing for Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about rivalry. Every Australian who knows about cricket recognizes Root is a world-class cricketer.

Root's Hundred as a Solid Anchor

This ton felt significant in other ways, particularly as something concrete in the series for this team, a anchor in the difficulty.

Are England going to win at the Gabba? Uncertain. 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 superb one in truly tough conditions, an innings that may have saved his team in this series.

It began with the wings already falling off, and England’s premier batsman coming out at 5/2. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Middle

As the day progressed, England were 3/175. Two embodiments of elite Yorkshire grit at the crease.

On one side, Root was playing his natural game, relaxed, graceful, watchful. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

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

A Damaging Decision

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

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

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

The Veteran's Steady Rebuke

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 offered his own quiet rebuke, a success for preparation, addressing your flaws.

The tourists are still in this series because he scaled the peak, provided a lesson in what skill in the end means.

Will they take twenty wickets? Are they going to learn? Uncertain. But Joe Root made a hundred.