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In the end, the very celebration was flawless, on the field under that unique intense blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the contest – manic Baz energy, England’s lower order swinging freely with reckless abandon at the other end.

Right. All that drama. At the heart, the veteran batsman guided the ball away through fine leg to secure his first Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Consider trying to explain the reason this was not just heartwarming, inspiring and cathartic, but profoundly significant.

An Achievement Frozen in Time

A player who already possessed thirty-nine centuries in this traditional format of a sport has now registered his fortieth. Yet, follow the narrative, the artistry, the setbacks.

There'll, of course, be much banter-war stuff to be hashed out. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Is he *Australian* great?

But there is something more about wanting Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about one-upmanship. Any Australian who cares for cricket already knows Root is a great cricketer.

Root's Hundred as a Solid Anchor

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

Are England going to win at the Gabba? Don’t know. But Joe Root got a hundred. Was Harry Brook's dismissal the poorest shot? Yes. He did.

And not just a hundred in Australia, but a superb one in authentically tough conditions, an innings that might just have saved his team in this series.

The innings commenced with the team in deep trouble, and England’s key batter coming out at 5/2. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Middle

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

At one end, Root was exuding calm, relaxed, graceful, alert. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

Meanwhile, a darkness was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and Mitchell Starc revving up for the pivotal spell of the day.

A Reckless Choice

Is it wise to challenge this? Yep. No sighters, 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 sensible choice.

It was, if nothing else, novel in its utter failure. 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 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.

He offered his own masterful response, a victory for diligence, working at your flaws.

England are still in this series because he did the thing, offered a lesson in what talent ultimately means.

Will they take twenty wickets? Are they going to learn? Not sure. But Joe Root did score a hundred.