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In the end, the very celebration was ideal, out there under that unusual deep-blue southern sky, within the tumult of the match situation – frantic Baz energy, England’s lower order cutting loose with reckless abandon at the other end.

So yeah. All that stuff. Amidst it all, the veteran batsman eased the ball away past fine leg to complete his long-awaited Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Consider trying to explain why this was not just heartwarming, inspiring and cathartic, but quietly epic.

A Moment Preserved in Its Own Light

A player who already had thirty-nine hundreds in this traditional format of a sport has now scored his fortieth. Yet, follow the narrative, the skill, the twists and turns.

There will, of course, be plenty of discussion talk to be resolved. Is Joe Root finally great? Is he *Australian* great?

However, there is something deeper about wanting Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning point-scoring. Any Australian who knows about cricket already knows Root is a exceptional cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Solid Anchor

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

Are England going to win at the Gabba? Don’t know. But Joe Root got a hundred. Did Harry Brook play... the worst shot yet? Yes. He did.

This was not merely a hundred in Australia, but a brilliant one in genuinely tough conditions, an innings that may have saved his team in this series.

It began with the wings already falling off, and England’s key batter coming out at a dire 5 for 2. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Crease

As the day progressed, England were 3/175. Two embodiments of elite Yorkshire batting at the crease.

On one side, Root was exuding calm, easy, lithe, watchful. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

All the while, a dusk was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and the swing maestro building up for the key spell of the day.

A Damaging Stroke

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

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

It was at least novel in its complete misjudgment. We've witnessed England bat in Australia without fluidity. This was Brook as the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Steady Rebuke

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

He delivered his own subtle correction, a victory for diligence, correcting your flaws.

England are still in this series because he achieved the milestone, delivered a lesson in what skill truly means.

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