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Finally, even the celebration was perfect, under lights under that strange intense blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the game-state – hyper Baz energy, England’s lower order scything away death cult-style at the other end.

Right. All that drama. In the middle, the veteran batsman guided the ball away past fine leg to notch his first Test hundred in Australia.

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

A Milestone Frozen in Time

A player who already had thirty-nine centuries in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now compiled his fortieth. But, trace the narrative, the artistry, the twists and turns.

There will, of course, be much debate stuff to be hashed out. Is Joe Root finally great? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

Yet there exists something more about wanting Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about one-upmanship. Every Australian who understands cricket recognizes Root is a world-class cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Sturdy Handhold

The century felt meaningful in other ways, particularly as something solid in the series for this team, a foothold in the ice.

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.

This was not merely a hundred in Australia, but a brilliant one in genuinely tough conditions, an innings that may have saved his team in this series.

The innings commenced with the early wickets tumbling, and England’s greatest modern player coming out at 5/2. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Middle

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

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

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

A Costly Stroke

Is it wise to challenge this? Apparently so. No settling in, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

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

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

The Veteran's Silent Answer

Therefore one half of this England team continued to collapse, while at the other end Root batted with immense resolve, but for the team's cause.

Root provided his own quiet rebuke, a victory for preparation, addressing your flaws.

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

Will they take twenty wickets? Are they going to learn? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.