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In the end, the moment of celebration was ideal, out there under that strange deep-blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the game-state – hyper Baz energy, the English lower order swinging freely with reckless abandon at the other end.

So yeah. All that stuff. At the heart, the veteran batsman guided the ball away to fine leg to complete his maiden Test hundred in Australia.

Yet, the true meaning resonates with those who have followed the journey. Picture trying to explain why this was not just heartwarming, inspiring and cleansing, but quietly epic.

A Moment Frozen in Time

A man who already possessed 39 centuries in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now registered his 40th. But, follow the story, the artistry, the setbacks.

There'll, of course, be much debate talk to be settled. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

Yet there exists something deeper about wanting Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about one-upmanship. Any Australian who cares for cricket is well aware Root is a exceptional cricketer.

The Captain's Hundred as a Reliable Handhold

Root’s hundred 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? Uncertain. But Joe Root got a hundred. Was Harry Brook's dismissal the poorest shot? Yes. He did.

This was not merely a hundred in Australia, but a outstanding one in truly tough conditions, an innings that might just have saved his team in this series.

It had to start with the wings already falling off, and England’s premier batsman coming out at 5/2. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Crease

By mid-afternoon, England were in a reasonable position. Two versions of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

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

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

A Damaging Decision

Do you run towards this danger? Yep. No sighters, no feet. Just throw the hands at it first up.

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

It was at least novel in its utter failure. We've witnessed England bat in Australia without fluidity. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Silent Answer

Therefore one half of this England team kept faltering, while at the other end Root batted not just for his life, but for the team's cause.

Root provided his own subtle correction, a triumph for preparation, correcting your flaws.

England are still in this series because he did the thing, offered a lesson in what ability ultimately means.

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