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In the end, the moment of celebration was flawless, under lights under that strange intense blue southern sky, within the tumult of the contest – frantic Baz energy, England’s lower order cutting loose in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

So yeah. All that stuff. Amidst it all, the former captain eased the ball away past fine leg to complete his first 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 possessed 39 hundreds in this traditional format of a sport has now scored his fortieth. Yet, consider the story, the artistry, the twists and turns.

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

Yet there exists something more about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning rivalry. Every Australian who knows about cricket already knows Root is a world-class cricketer.

The Captain's Hundred as a Sturdy Anchor

This ton felt significant in other ways, especially as something solid in the series for this team, a anchor in the glacier.

Can England secure victory at the Gabba? Uncertain. But Joe Root got a hundred. Did Harry Brook play... the worst shot yet? Yes. He did.

And not just a hundred in Australia, but a brilliant one in truly tough conditions, an innings that could have saved his team in this series.

The innings commenced with the wings already falling off, and England’s greatest modern player coming out at a dire 5 for 2. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Middle

By mid-afternoon, England were 3/175. Two versions of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

At one end, Root was playing his natural game, easy, graceful, watchful. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

Throughout, a dusk was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and the swing maestro preparing for the pivotal spell of the day.

A Damaging Choice

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 healthy. There is no context where this was a smart choice.

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

Root's Quiet Rebuke

Thus one half of this England team kept faltering, while at the other end Root batted not just for his life, but for the entire innings.

Root provided his own masterful response, a triumph for doing your homework, addressing your flaws.

The tourists are still in this series because he achieved the milestone, delivered a lesson in what talent truly means.

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