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In the end, the very celebration was perfect, on the field under that strange deep-blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the contest – manic Baz energy, England’s lower order scything away in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

Right. All that drama. Amidst it all, the veteran batsman guided the ball away to 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, inspiring and cleansing, but subtly monumental.

An Achievement Preserved in Its Own Light

A player who already possessed 39 hundreds in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now registered his fortieth. But, consider the narrative, the skill, the jags in the road.

There will, of course, be a lot of debate stuff to be settled. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Is he *Australian* great?

However, there is something further about wanting Root to be great in Australia. It isn't regarding rivalry. Any Australian who knows about cricket already knows Root is a great cricketer.

Root's Hundred as a Solid Anchor

Root’s hundred felt meaningful in other ways, especially as something solid in the series for this team, a handhold in the glacier.

Can England secure victory at the Gabba? Don’t know. But Joe Root got a hundred. Did Harry Brook play... the worst shot yet? Yes. He did.

And not just a hundred in Australia, but a superb one in truly 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 premier batsman coming out at a dire 5 for 2. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Middle

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

At one end, Root was simply being himself, easy, graceful, alert. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

All the while, a darkness was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and the pink ball genius preparing for the pivotal spell of the day.

A Damaging Stroke

Should one attack this threat? 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 sensible choice.

It was at least novel in its complete misjudgment. We have seen England bat in Australia like the Tin Man. This was Brook as the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Silent Answer

And so 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.

He offered his own masterful response, a success for diligence, addressing your flaws.

England are still in this series because he scaled the peak, provided a lesson in what skill in the end means.

Are they going to bowl Australia out? Are they going to learn? Not sure. But Joe Root did score a hundred.