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In the end, even the celebration was ideal, under lights under that unique deep-blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the match situation – manic Baz energy, England’s lower order swinging freely in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. At the heart, Joe Root steered the ball away to fine leg to secure his long-awaited Test hundred in Australia.

Yet, the true meaning resonates with those who have followed the journey. Imagine trying to explain why this was more than warm, inspiring and cathartic, but profoundly significant.

A Moment Preserved in Its Own Light

A batsman who already possessed 39 tons in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now compiled his 40th. Yet, follow the journey, the artistry, the twists and turns.

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

Yet there exists something deeper about wishing for Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about one-upmanship. Every Australian who understands cricket recognizes Root is a exceptional cricketer.

The Captain's Hundred as a Sturdy Anchor

Root’s hundred felt meaningful in other ways, not least as something tangible in the series for this team, a anchor in the glacier.

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 superb one in genuinely tough conditions, an innings that could have saved his team in this series.

It began with the wings already falling off, 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

In the afternoon session, England were in a reasonable position. Two examples of elite Yorkshire batting at the crease.

On one side, Root was playing his natural game, relaxed, graceful, alert. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

Meanwhile, a darkness was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and the swing maestro preparing for the crucial spell of the day.

A Damaging Stroke

Should one attack this threat? Apparently so. No sighters, 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 sensible choice.

It was at least novel in its abjectness. We've witnessed England bat in Australia like the Tin Man. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Steady Response

And so one half of this England team kept faltering, while at the other end Root batted for survival, but for the team's cause.

He delivered his own subtle correction, a victory for preparation, working at your flaws.

England are still in this series because he scaled the peak, provided a lesson in what talent truly means.

Can they dismiss Australia? Can they evolve? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root did score a hundred.