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Finally, even the celebration was perfect, out there under that unique deep-blue southern sky, within the tumult of the contest – hyper Baz energy, the English lower order swinging freely with reckless abandon at the other end.

So yeah. All that stuff. In the middle, the veteran batsman eased 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 the reason this was more than warm, uplifting and cleansing, but subtly monumental.

An Achievement Caught in Time

A man who already had 39 tons in this traditional format of a sport has now registered his fortieth. Yet, consider the narrative, the artistry, the twists and turns.

There'll, of course, be much discussion material to be hashed out. Is Joe Root finally great? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

However, there is something further about wanting Root to be great in Australia. It isn't regarding point-scoring. Any Australian who understands cricket is well aware Root is a exceptional cricketer.

Root's Century as a Reliable Foundation

The century felt important in other ways, especially as something solid in the series for this team, a handhold in the difficulty.

Will England triumph 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 superb one in truly tough conditions, an innings that might just have saved his team in this series.

It began with the wings already falling off, and England’s key batter coming out at 5/2. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Crease

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

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

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

A Reckless Decision

Do you run towards this danger? Yes. No sighters, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

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

It was, if nothing else, novel in its complete misjudgment. We've witnessed England bat in Australia like a rusted machine. This was Brook as the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Silent Response

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 quiet rebuke, a triumph for doing your homework, working at your flaws.

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

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