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In the end, even the celebration was perfect, on the field under that strange vivid blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the contest – hyper Baz energy, the English lower order cutting loose death cult-style at the other end.

So yeah. All that stuff. In the middle, Joe Root eased the ball away through fine leg to secure his long-awaited Test hundred in Australia.

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

An Achievement Caught in Its Own Light

A batsman who already possessed thirty-nine hundreds in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now scored his 40th. But, follow the narrative, the skill, the jags in the road.

There will, of course, be a lot of banter-war material to be settled. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Is he *Australian* great?

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

The Captain's Century as a Sturdy Anchor

Root’s hundred felt meaningful in other ways, particularly as something solid 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 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 two wickets down for five runs. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Middle

By mid-afternoon, England were 175 for three. Two versions of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

On one side, Root was playing his natural game, relaxed, graceful, watchful. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

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

A Damaging Decision

Is it wise to challenge this? Apparently so. No settling in, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

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

It was, if nothing else, novel in its utter failure. We have seen England bat in Australia like a rusted machine. Now Brook presented the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Steady Response

Thus one half of this England team kept faltering, while at the other end Root batted not just for his life, but for the entire innings.

Root provided his own masterful response, a success for diligence, correcting your flaws.

The tourists are still in this series because he scaled the peak, provided a lesson in what ability ultimately means.

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