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Ultimately, the very celebration was ideal, under lights under that unique deep-blue southern sky, within the tumult of the contest – frantic Baz energy, England’s lower order cutting loose in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

Right. All that drama. Amidst it all, the veteran batsman steered the ball away to fine leg to notch his long-awaited Test hundred in Australia.

However, for those who understand, the significance is clear. Consider trying to explain why this was not just heartwarming, uplifting and cathartic, but quietly epic.

An Achievement Caught in Its Own Light

A batsman who already possessed 39 centuries in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now compiled his fortieth. Yet, consider the story, the skill, the twists and turns.

There will, of course, be plenty of discussion stuff to be resolved. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Is he *Australian* great?

However, there is something more about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. It isn't regarding one-upmanship. Every Australian who knows about cricket recognizes Root is a great cricketer.

Root's Hundred as a Solid Anchor

This ton felt important in other ways, particularly as something tangible in the series for this team, a handhold in the ice.

Are England going to win at the Gabba? It's unclear. 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 brilliant one in truly tough conditions, an innings that might just have saved his team in this series.

It began with the team in deep trouble, and England’s premier batsman coming out at 5/2. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Middle

In the afternoon session, England were in a reasonable position. Two examples of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

At one end, Root was playing his natural game, easy, graceful, watchful. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

Meanwhile, a dusk was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and the swing maestro preparing for the key spell of the day.

A Damaging Decision

Do you run towards this danger? Yep. No sighters, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

The ball to Brook was full, 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 without fluidity. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Quiet Answer

Thus 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.

He offered his own subtle correction, a triumph for diligence, working at your flaws.

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

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