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In the end, the very celebration was ideal, on the field under that unique intense blue southern sky, within the tumult of the contest – frantic Baz energy, England’s lower order cutting loose with reckless abandon at the other end.

Right. All that drama. In the middle, the former captain eased the ball away through fine leg to notch his maiden Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Consider trying to explain why this was more than heartwarming, uplifting and cleansing, but quietly epic.

An Achievement Caught in Its Own Light

A batsman who already possessed 39 tons in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now registered his fortieth. But, follow the journey, the skill, the jags in the road.

There'll, of course, be a lot of debate talk to be hashed out. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

However, there is something further about wanting Root to be great in Australia. It isn't regarding rivalry. Every Australian who knows about cricket already knows Root is a exceptional cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Sturdy Foundation

This ton felt meaningful in other ways, particularly as something solid in the series for this team, a handhold in the glacier.

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 brilliant one in truly tough conditions, an innings that could have saved his team in this series.

It began with the team in deep trouble, and England’s premier batsman coming out at a dire 5 for 2. Root was dropped early in the slips.

The Dichotomy in the Crease

As the day progressed, England were 3/175. Two examples of elite Yorkshire batting at the crease.

On one side, Root was simply being himself, relaxed, graceful, alert. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

All the while, a darkness was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and the swing maestro building up for the key spell of the day.

A Costly Choice

Should one attack this threat? Apparently so. No sighters, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

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

It was, if nothing else, novel in its abjectness. We've witnessed England bat in Australia without fluidity. This was Brook as the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Quiet Rebuke

Thus 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 quiet rebuke, a success for doing your homework, addressing your flaws.

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

Are they going to bowl Australia out? Can they evolve? Not sure. But Joe Root made a hundred.