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Ultimately, even the celebration was ideal, out there under that strange deep-blue southern sky, within the tumult of the contest – hyper Baz energy, the English lower order scything away in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

Right. All that drama. In the middle, Joe Root guided the ball away through fine leg to secure his first Test hundred in Australia.

However, for those who understand, the significance is clear. Consider trying to explain why this was more than warm, inspiring and cathartic, but subtly monumental.

A Moment Preserved in Time

A player who already possessed thirty-nine hundreds in this traditional format of a sport has now registered his fortieth. Yet, follow the story, the artistry, the twists and turns.

There'll, of course, be much banter-war stuff to be settled. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

Yet there exists something further about hoping for Root to be great in Australia. It isn't regarding rivalry. Any Australian who understands cricket recognizes Root is a exceptional cricketer.

The Captain's Hundred as a Sturdy Anchor

The century felt important in other ways, especially as something concrete in the series for this team, a foothold in the difficulty.

Will England triumph at the Gabba? Uncertain. But Joe Root got a hundred. Was Harry Brook's dismissal the poorest shot? Yes. He did.

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

It had to start with the wings already falling off, and England’s key batter coming out at 5/2. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Dichotomy in the Middle

In the afternoon session, England were 3/175. Two examples of elite Yorkshire grit at the crease.

At one end, Root was simply being himself, easy, graceful, alert. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

Throughout, a dusk was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and the pink ball genius revving up for the key spell of the day.

A Damaging Stroke

Is it wise to challenge this? Yep. No settling in, no feet. Just throw the hands at it first up.

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

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

Root's Steady Rebuke

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

Root provided his own quiet rebuke, a success for preparation, addressing your flaws.

England are still in this series because he did the thing, provided a lesson in what ability ultimately means.

Will they take twenty wickets? Can they evolve? Not sure. But Joe Root did score a hundred.