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Finally, the moment of celebration was ideal, on the field under that strange vivid blue southern sky, within the tumult of the game-state – hyper Baz energy, England’s lower order swinging freely with reckless abandon at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. In the middle, the former captain steered the ball away to fine leg to complete his long-awaited Test hundred in Australia.

Yet, the true meaning resonates with those who have followed the journey. Consider trying to explain why this was not just heartwarming, uplifting and cleansing, but quietly epic.

An Achievement Preserved in Its Own Light

A batsman who already possessed thirty-nine tons in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now scored his 40th. However, consider the story, the artistry, the setbacks.

There will, of course, be a lot of debate material to be settled. Is Joe Root finally great? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

Yet there exists something deeper about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about rivalry. Any Australian who knows about cricket recognizes Root is a great cricketer.

Root's Century as a Sturdy Anchor

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

This was not merely a hundred in Australia, but a superb one in truly tough conditions, an innings that might just have saved his team in this series.

It began with the early wickets tumbling, and England’s key batter coming out at 5/2. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Dichotomy in the Middle

In the afternoon session, England were 175 for three. Two embodiments of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

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

Throughout, a gloom was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and the swing maestro revving up for the pivotal spell of the day.

A Costly Stroke

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

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

It was, if nothing else, novel in its utter failure. We've witnessed England bat in Australia like a rusted machine. 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 not just for his life, but for the entire innings.

Root provided his own masterful response, a victory for doing your homework, working at your flaws.

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

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