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In the end, even the celebration was flawless, on the field under that unusual intense blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the contest – manic Baz energy, the English lower order swinging freely with reckless abandon at the other end.

Right. All that drama. Amidst it all, Joe Root steered the ball away through fine leg to secure his maiden Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Imagine trying to explain the reason this was more than heartwarming, uplifting and cleansing, but quietly epic.

A Moment Frozen in Its Own Light

A man who already had 39 tons in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now compiled his 40th. However, consider the narrative, the craft, the setbacks.

There'll, of course, be a lot of debate stuff to be settled. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

But there is something more about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. It’s not about rivalry. Any Australian who knows about cricket is well aware Root is a great cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Reliable Handhold

The century felt meaningful in other ways, not least as something concrete in the series for this team, a anchor in the difficulty.

Can England secure victory at the Gabba? It's unclear. 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 authentically tough conditions, an innings that might just have saved his team in this series.

The innings commenced with the team in deep trouble, and England’s key batter coming out at two wickets down for five runs. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Contrast in the Crease

As the day progressed, England were in a reasonable position. Two embodiments of elite Yorkshire grit at the crease.

At one end, Root was exuding calm, easy, lithe, watchful. Meanwhile, 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 the pink ball genius preparing for the crucial spell of the day.

A Reckless Stroke

Is it wise to challenge this? Apparently so. No settling in, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

The ball to Brook was full, the edge healthy. There is no context where this was a sensible choice.

It was, if nothing else, 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.

Root's Steady Answer

Thus 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.

Root provided his own masterful response, a victory for diligence, correcting your flaws.

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

Will they take twenty wickets? Can they evolve? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.