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In the end, even the celebration was flawless, out there under that strange intense blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the match situation – hyper Baz energy, England’s lower order cutting loose in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. At the heart, Joe Root steered the ball away past fine leg to complete his maiden Test hundred in Australia.

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

An Achievement Caught in Time

A batsman who already had 39 tons in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now compiled his 40th. However, trace the narrative, the craft, the jags in the road.

There will, of course, be much discussion stuff to be resolved. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

Yet there exists something more about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. It isn't regarding rivalry. Any Australian who understands cricket is well aware Root is a exceptional cricketer.

Root's Century as a Sturdy Handhold

Root’s hundred felt important in other ways, especially as something concrete in the series for this team, a anchor in the difficulty.

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 authentically tough conditions, an innings that might just have saved his team in this series.

It had to start with the wings already falling off, and England’s premier batsman coming out at a dire 5 for 2. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Middle

In the afternoon session, England were 3/175. Two examples of elite Yorkshire batting at the crease.

At one end, Root was simply being himself, easy, graceful, alert. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

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

A Costly Decision

Should one attack this threat? Yes. No sighters, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

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

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

The Veteran's Silent Rebuke

Therefore one half of this England team kept faltering, while at the other end Root batted not just for his life, but for the team's cause.

Root provided his own subtle correction, a success for diligence, working at your flaws.

England are still in this series because he scaled the peak, provided a lesson in what talent ultimately means.

Can they dismiss Australia? Will they adapt? Not sure. But Joe Root made a hundred.