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Ultimately, even the celebration was ideal, out there under that strange vivid blue southern sky, within the tumult of the match situation – hyper Baz energy, the English lower order cutting loose death cult-style at the other end.

Right. All that drama. In the middle, Joe Root eased the ball away to fine leg to notch his maiden 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 Frozen in Time

A batsman who already had thirty-nine hundreds in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now scored his 40th. Yet, consider the story, the artistry, the twists and turns.

There'll, of course, be plenty of debate material to be hashed out. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Is he *Australian* great?

But there is something further about wishing for Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning one-upmanship. Any Australian who cares for cricket is well aware Root is a exceptional cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Sturdy Anchor

The century felt significant in other ways, not least as something tangible in the series for this team, a foothold in the glacier.

Can England secure victory at the Gabba? Don’t know. But Joe Root got a hundred. Did Harry Brook produce a disastrous stroke? Yes. He did.

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

It had to start with the early wickets tumbling, and England’s premier batsman coming out at a dire 5 for 2. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Crease

As the day progressed, England were 3/175. Two versions of elite Yorkshire grit at the crease.

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

Meanwhile, a dusk was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and the swing maestro revving up for the pivotal spell of the day.

A Damaging Stroke

Do you run towards this danger? Apparently so. 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 smart choice.

It was at least novel in its utter failure. We have seen England bat in Australia like a rusted machine. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Steady Response

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

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

England are still in this series because he scaled the peak, offered a lesson in what ability in the end means.

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