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Ultimately, the moment of celebration was flawless, under lights under that unique deep-blue southern sky, within the tumult of the match situation – manic Baz energy, the English lower order scything away in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

Right. All that drama. Amidst it all, Joe Root guided the ball away past fine leg to notch his first Test hundred in Australia.

Yet, the true meaning resonates with those who have followed the journey. Imagine trying to explain why this was more than warm, inspiring and cleansing, but subtly monumental.

A Milestone Frozen in Time

A man who already had 39 tons in this traditional format of a sport has now compiled his fortieth. However, consider the journey, the artistry, the twists and turns.

There'll, of course, be much banter-war material to be settled. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

However, there is something further about wanting Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning point-scoring. Every Australian who knows about cricket is well aware Root is a exceptional cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Reliable Foundation

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

Are England going to win at the Gabba? Uncertain. 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 genuinely tough conditions, an innings that may have saved his team in this series.

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

The Juxtaposition in the Crease

In the afternoon session, England were in a reasonable position. Two embodiments of elite Yorkshire grit at the crease.

On one side, Root was simply being himself, easy, lithe, alert. 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 Mitchell Starc building up for the pivotal spell of the day.

A Damaging Stroke

Do you run towards this danger? Yep. No settling in, no feet. Just a flash of the bat first up.

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

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

The Veteran's Quiet Response

Therefore one half of this England team persisted in failing, while at the other end Root batted with immense resolve, but for the team's cause.

He offered his own masterful response, a victory for doing your homework, addressing your flaws.

The tourists are still in this series because he achieved the milestone, provided a lesson in what ability ultimately means.

Can they dismiss Australia? Are they going to learn? Not sure. But Joe Root made a hundred.