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Ultimately, even the celebration was ideal, under lights under that unique vivid blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the game-state – frantic Baz energy, England’s lower order scything away with reckless abandon at the other end.

Right. All that drama. In the middle, the former captain guided the ball away past 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 not just warm, inspiring and cathartic, but quietly epic.

An Achievement Preserved in Time

A player who already possessed 39 tons in this traditional format of a sport has now compiled his 40th. Yet, consider the narrative, the artistry, the jags in the road.

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

Yet there exists something further about wanting Root to be great in Australia. It isn't regarding point-scoring. Every Australian who cares for cricket already knows Root is a exceptional cricketer.

The Captain's Hundred as a Sturdy Foundation

This ton felt significant in other ways, not least as something concrete in the series for this team, a handhold in the ice.

Will England triumph at the Gabba? It's unclear. But Joe Root got a hundred. Did Harry Brook produce a disastrous stroke? Yes. He did.

And not just a hundred in Australia, but a superb one in authentically tough conditions, an innings that might just have saved his team in this series.

It began with the team in deep trouble, and England’s key batter coming out at two wickets down for five runs. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Middle

As the day progressed, 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, watchful. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

All the while, a darkness was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and Mitchell Starc revving up for the pivotal spell of the day.

A Damaging Decision

Do you run towards this danger? Yep. No sighters, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

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

It was at least novel in its abjectness. We've witnessed England bat in Australia like the Tin Man. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Steady Rebuke

Therefore one half of this England team continued to collapse, while at the other end Root batted for survival, but for everyone else’s too.

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

England are still in this series because he achieved the milestone, offered a lesson in what skill in the end means.

Can they dismiss Australia? Are they going to learn? It remains to be seen. But Joe Root did score a hundred.