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In the end, the moment of celebration was perfect, out there under that unique intense blue southern sky, within the tumult of the match situation – manic Baz energy, the English lower order cutting loose with reckless abandon at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. At the heart, Joe Root guided the ball away through fine leg to notch his maiden Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Picture trying to explain why this was not just heartwarming, uplifting and cleansing, but quietly epic.

A Moment Preserved in Its Own Light

A player who already had 39 centuries in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now compiled his fortieth. But, trace the journey, the artistry, the twists and turns.

There'll, of course, be much banter-war stuff to be settled. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

Yet there exists something deeper about wanting Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning point-scoring. Any Australian who understands cricket recognizes Root is a world-class cricketer.

Root's Century as a Reliable Anchor

The century felt meaningful in other ways, especially as something concrete in the series for this team, a anchor in the ice.

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 genuinely tough conditions, an innings that might just have saved his team in this series.

It had to start with the team in deep trouble, and England’s premier batsman coming out at 5/2. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Dichotomy in the Middle

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

On one side, Root was exuding calm, easy, graceful, alert. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

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

A Reckless 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 world where this was a sensible choice.

It was, if nothing else, novel in its utter failure. We've witnessed England bat in Australia like the Tin Man. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Quiet Response

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

Root provided his own quiet rebuke, a success for doing your homework, addressing your flaws.

The tourists are still in this series because he achieved the milestone, delivered a lesson in what talent in the end means.

Can they dismiss Australia? Are they going to learn? Uncertain. But Joe Root made a hundred.