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Finally, the moment of celebration was ideal, under lights under that unusual vivid blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the contest – hyper Baz energy, the English lower order cutting loose in a do-or-die manner at the other end.

Right. All that drama. Amidst it all, the former captain guided the ball away through fine leg to notch his maiden Test hundred in Australia.

However, for those who understand, the significance is clear. Imagine trying to explain why this was more than heartwarming, inspiring and cleansing, but quietly epic.

A Milestone Caught in Time

A man who already possessed thirty-nine tons in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now registered his fortieth. But, trace the journey, the artistry, the twists and turns.

There'll, of course, be much debate material to be resolved. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

Yet there exists something more about wanting Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning point-scoring. Every Australian who cares for cricket is well aware Root is a world-class cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Sturdy Foundation

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

Are England going to win at the Gabba? It's unclear. 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 outstanding one in genuinely tough conditions, an innings that may have saved his team in this series.

The innings commenced with the wings already falling off, and England’s greatest modern player coming out at 5/2. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Dichotomy in the Middle

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

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

Throughout, a gloom was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and Mitchell Starc preparing for the crucial spell of the day.

A Reckless Decision

Do you run towards this danger? Yes. No settling in, no feet. Just throw the hands at it first up.

The delivery to Brook was full, the edge clear. There is no context where this was a smart choice.

It was, if nothing else, novel in its utter failure. We have seen England bat in Australia like a rusted machine. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Silent Rebuke

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

He delivered his own quiet rebuke, a victory for diligence, addressing your flaws.

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

Will they take twenty wickets? Are they going to learn? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root did score a hundred.