In a glass case on the third floor of the MCG sits a neon pink ensemble worn by Robbie Williams. His concert in front of a hundred thousand fans was seen as a triumph.
It's possible you like Robbie Williams. Maybe you feel he is the finest offering to music in history. Or you could adopt a balanced view, conceding that some songs are belting while others are terrible.
The central idea is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. Preferences differ. There is no universal formula to craft literature or even Test cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Long Game
The five-day game boasts incomparable variety. It's difficult to think of another sport where the outcome is so reliant upon conditions.
The climate, the time of day, the cricket ball – the factors are countless. Most important is the wicket.
If the format is a form of art, the strip is the foundation on which the cricketers paint their masterpiece.
An Abstract Contest: The Fourth Test
The recent Melbourne match between Australia and England was Test cricket cubism, the established format taken to pieces and reassembled in an unusual manner.
This is not a justification of the wicket which resulted in a victory and the second two-day Test of the contest.
Having 10mm of grass on the surface, resulting in numerous dismissals falling in less than two days, is not an even battle between bat and ball.
A Rich Tapestry: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be qualified as illegitimate, is mistaken.
Test cricket is a rich tapestry, over two thousand matches and ongoing. At times, as seen at the MCG, the ball moves excessively for the fast men. Other times, it turns square on a spinning track. At other venues, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it explodes.
The thrillers are even more exciting because of the patience committed during quieter periods.
Adaptation: The True Test
Some factors are accepted more freely than others.
The contention in Melbourne was that the contest was skewed excessively towards the attack. That the skilled individuals were prevented from showcasing their talents.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – reading the situation and responding appropriately. The two highest individual innings were made by world-class stars. One side committed more errors than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Pure Elation: For Those Who Waited
Go and inform the supporters who have endured 18 winless matches that this was not entertaining.
In a corner of the ground, countless fans waved their flags and chanted, fostering a party atmosphere in a bastion of national pride.
There was belief as the bowlers dominated, impetus when players fought back, and pure joy when the victory was confirmed.
Extreme Ends: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The Melbourne has a history with difficult wickets. Eight years ago, a match there featured a strip with the character of a a damp squib.
That contest was a slog, with limited drama and slow play. The latest encounter and that previous match are extreme ends of the spectrum – both are not ideal, yet value can be ascribed to them.
Deep into the series into the Ashes contest, it is the two-day matches that will remain iconic in the memory.
"Far from being the death of the long game at all," observed a past champion. "The people who have been lucky enough to see these short time have been given some genuine drama. A unique show."
Signs of Progress: Building for the Future
In the preparation to this Test, the leader addressed the media like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his back.
The squad protected him, reinstating the smile to his countenance.
Different players delivered with vital performances. These are small positives, hardly enough to guarantee long-term stability, but a starting point to develop from.
Ultimately, this triumph joins other memorable performances in meaningless games.
As the fans departed into a beautiful night, the team gathered on the field to commence their own celebrations.
Savour the moment, lads. It's well deserved.
