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In the end, the moment of celebration was ideal, on the field under that unusual vivid blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the contest – manic Baz energy, England’s lower order cutting loose death cult-style at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. In the middle, Joe Root guided the ball away through fine leg to complete his maiden Test hundred in Australia.

Yet, the true meaning resonates with those who have followed the journey. Picture trying to explain the reason this was more than heartwarming, uplifting and cathartic, but profoundly significant.

A Milestone Frozen in Time

A player who already possessed thirty-nine centuries in this traditional format of a sport has now scored his 40th. However, follow the narrative, the artistry, the jags in the road.

There'll, of course, be a lot of discussion stuff to be settled. Is Joe Root finally great? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

Yet there exists something further about wishing for Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning one-upmanship. Every Australian who cares for cricket recognizes Root is a great cricketer.

Root's Hundred as a Reliable Foundation

The century felt meaningful in other ways, particularly as something tangible in the series for this team, a handhold in the difficulty.

Will England triumph 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.

It had to start with the early wickets tumbling, and England’s greatest modern player 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 versions of elite Yorkshire batting at the crease.

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

Meanwhile, a dusk was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and the pink ball genius building up for the key spell of the day.

A Reckless Decision

Should one attack this threat? Apparently so. No settling in, no feet. Just a flash of the bat first up.

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

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

Root's Quiet Rebuke

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

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

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

Will they take twenty wickets? Can they evolve? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.