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Ultimately, even the celebration was perfect, under lights under that unique deep-blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the contest – manic Baz energy, England’s lower order cutting loose with reckless abandon at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. Amidst it all, Joe Root eased the ball away to fine leg to secure his first Test hundred in Australia.

However, for those who understand, the significance is clear. Picture trying to explain why this was not just warm, inspiring and cleansing, but quietly epic.

A Milestone Caught in Time

A man who already had 39 hundreds in this rigorous discipline of a sport has now compiled his fortieth. But, consider the narrative, the craft, the twists and turns.

There'll, of course, be plenty of discussion material to be settled. Is Joe Root finally great? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

But there is something further about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning rivalry. Every Australian who cares for cricket recognizes Root is a world-class cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Solid Foundation

The century felt meaningful in other ways, especially as something solid in the series for this team, a anchor in the difficulty.

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

The innings commenced 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 Middle

In the afternoon session, England were 175 for three. Two examples of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

At one end, Root was simply being himself, relaxed, lithe, watchful. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

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

A Damaging Decision

Should one attack this threat? Apparently so. No sighters, no feet. Just a flash of the bat first up.

The delivery to Brook was full-length, the edge thick. There is no context where this was a good choice.

It was, if nothing else, novel in its utter failure. We've witnessed England bat in Australia without fluidity. Now Brook presented the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Silent Answer

Thus one half of this England team kept faltering, while at the other end Root batted with immense resolve, but for the team's cause.

He delivered his own subtle correction, a triumph for doing your homework, working at your flaws.

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

Are they going to bowl Australia out? Can they evolve? Uncertain. But Joe Root made a hundred.