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In the end, the very celebration was perfect, out there under that strange intense blue southern sky, in the frenzy of the match situation – frantic Baz energy, the English lower order scything away death cult-style at the other end.

Right. All that drama. At the heart, the veteran batsman guided the ball away to fine leg to complete his first Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Consider trying to explain the reason this was more than heartwarming, inspiring and cleansing, but subtly monumental.

A Milestone Frozen in Time

A man who already possessed 39 centuries in this traditional format of a sport has now scored his fortieth. Yet, trace the story, the skill, the setbacks.

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

But there is something more about wanting Root to be great in Australia. It isn't regarding point-scoring. Any Australian who knows about cricket already knows Root is a great cricketer.

The Captain's Hundred as a Sturdy Anchor

The century felt significant in other ways, especially as something solid in the series for this team, a handhold in the glacier.

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 superb one in truly tough conditions, an innings that could 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. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Dichotomy in the Middle

By mid-afternoon, England were in a reasonable position. Two examples of elite Yorkshire batting at the crease.

On one side, Root was exuding calm, easy, graceful, watchful. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

Meanwhile, a dusk was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and Mitchell Starc preparing for the key spell of the day.

A Reckless Choice

Should one attack this threat? Apparently so. No settling in, no feet. Just throw the hands at it first up.

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

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

Root's Steady Rebuke

Thus one half of this England team continued to collapse, while at the other end Root batted not just for his life, but for everyone else’s too.

Root provided his own masterful response, a success for doing your homework, correcting your flaws.

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

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