Joe Root ended his long wait for a Test century in Australia by reaching three figures on day one of the second Ashes Test in Brisbane.
In his 30th innings down under, after all of the pre-series talk, Root dug in as he has so often to keep England afloat in the day-night Test.
The 34-year-old came in with his side reeling at 5-2 in the third over, was dropped on two and saw wickets tumble from the other end but reached the 40th century of his illustrious Test career late in the evening session with the score 256-7.
He got to the landmark with a flick to fine leg, removed his helmet and saluted the crowd with a typically measured celebration.
“Even Australia will have to admit he’s a great now,” said his former England team-mate Sir Alastair Cook on TNT Sports.
“It is a brilliant innings and just what England needed.
“He’s been superb under pressure as always. He is England’s best batsman ever. He just gets better and better.”
The century moves Root within one of Australia great Ricky Ponting, who sits third on the list of most hundreds in Test history.
But more significantly it ends any conversation about whether or not Root can be considered an all-time great without a Test century in Australia.
“He has fought so hard for this,” BBC Test Match Special commentator Jonathan Agnew said. “That will quieten a few critics.”