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Ultimately, even the celebration was ideal, under lights under that strange deep-blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the game-state – manic Baz energy, England’s lower order cutting loose death cult-style at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. Amidst it all, the former captain guided the ball away past fine leg to notch his first Test hundred in Australia.

Yet, the true meaning resonates with those who have followed the journey. Consider trying to explain the reason this was not just heartwarming, uplifting and cathartic, but subtly monumental.

An Achievement Preserved in Time

A player who already had 39 hundreds in this traditional format of a sport has now scored his 40th. Yet, consider the journey, the craft, the setbacks.

There'll, of course, be much debate talk to be settled. Has Joe Root finally achieved greatness? Does he now rank among Australian greats?

But there is something more about wishing for Root to be great in Australia. It isn't regarding rivalry. Any Australian who understands cricket already knows Root is a exceptional cricketer.

The Captain's Century as a Reliable Foundation

This ton felt meaningful in other ways, not least as something concrete in the series for this team, a anchor in the difficulty.

Can England secure victory 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 outstanding one in truly 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 two wickets down for five runs. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Juxtaposition in the Middle

By mid-afternoon, England were 175 for three. Two examples of elite Yorkshire batting at the crease.

At one end, Root was exuding calm, relaxed, lithe, alert. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

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

A Damaging Stroke

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

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

It was at least novel in its utter failure. We have seen England bat in Australia like the Tin Man. This was Brook as the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Quiet Response

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.

Root provided his own masterful response, a triumph for preparation, correcting your flaws.

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

Will they take twenty wickets? Are they going to learn? Uncertain. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.