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In the end, even the celebration was flawless, out there under that unique intense blue southern sky, in the frenzy 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. At the heart, Joe Root guided the ball away past fine leg to secure his first Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Consider trying to explain the reason this was more than warm, uplifting and cathartic, but profoundly significant.

A Milestone Caught in Its Own Light

A man who already possessed 39 tons in this traditional format of a sport has now scored his 40th. Yet, follow the story, the skill, the setbacks.

There'll, of course, be a lot of discussion talk to be resolved. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Is he *Australian* great?

However, there is something more about wanting Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about one-upmanship. Any Australian who knows about cricket recognizes Root is a exceptional cricketer.

The Captain's Hundred as a Solid Anchor

This ton felt meaningful in other ways, particularly as something concrete in the series for this team, a anchor in the ice.

Can England secure victory at the Gabba? Uncertain. 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 brilliant one in authentically tough conditions, an innings that may 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 two wickets down for five runs. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Crease

As the day progressed, England were 175 for three. Two examples of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

On one side, Root was simply being himself, relaxed, graceful, watchful. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

Meanwhile, a gloom was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and Mitchell Starc preparing for the key spell of the day.

A Costly Choice

Is it wise to challenge this? Yep. No settling in, no feet. Just throw the hands at it first up.

The ball to Brook was full-length, the edge thick. There is no context where this was a smart choice.

It was, if nothing else, novel in its utter failure. We have seen England bat in Australia without fluidity. Now Brook presented the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Silent Response

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.

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

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

Are they going to bowl Australia out? Can they evolve? Not sure. But Joe Root made a hundred.