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In the end, the moment of celebration was flawless, on the field under that unusual deep-blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the match situation – manic Baz energy, England’s lower order swinging freely in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. Amidst it all, the veteran batsman steered the ball away through fine leg to notch his maiden Test hundred in Australia.

However, for those who understand, the significance is clear. Picture trying to explain why this was more than warm, uplifting and cleansing, but quietly epic.

A Moment Preserved in Its Own Light

A man who already had 39 tons in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now registered his 40th. Yet, trace the story, the skill, the jags in the road.

There'll, of course, be plenty of discussion stuff to be hashed out. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

But there is something deeper about wishing for Root to be great in Australia. It isn't regarding one-upmanship. Any Australian who knows about cricket is well aware Root is a exceptional cricketer.

Root's Century as a Reliable Foundation

This ton felt significant in other ways, not least as something tangible in the series for this team, a foothold in the glacier.

Can England secure victory at the Gabba? It's unclear. 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 outstanding one in genuinely tough conditions, an innings that might just have saved his team in this series.

It had to start with the early wickets tumbling, 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 in a reasonable position. Two embodiments of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

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

Throughout, a dusk was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and Mitchell Starc preparing for the key spell of the day.

A Costly Stroke

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

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

It was at least novel in its complete misjudgment. We have seen England bat in Australia without fluidity. Now Brook presented the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Steady Rebuke

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

Root provided his own quiet rebuke, a success for diligence, working at your flaws.

England are still in this series because he achieved the milestone, offered a lesson in what skill in the end means.

Are they going to bowl Australia out? Will they adapt? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.