In a display cabinet on the elevated floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium sits a vibrant pink ensemble worn by the entertainer. His performance in front of a hundred thousand attendees was seen as a triumph.
Perhaps you don't like Robbie Williams. You might think he is the greatest gift to music in history. Alternatively, you may hold a balanced view, admitting that some songs are belting while others are awful.
The key argument is that amusement can be delivered diversely. You like what you like. There is no one way to craft art or even Test cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of Test Cricket
The five-day game boasts incomparable variety. It's difficult to think of another sport where the contest is so reliant upon the environment.
The elements, the time of day, the red ball – the factors are countless. Crucially is the pitch.
If the long game is a form of art, the wicket is the canvas on which the athletes create their art.
A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test
The fourth Ashes Test between the old rivals was Test cricket cubism, the great game dismantled and reconstructed in an unusual manner.
Let's be clear, this isn't a justification of the pitch which yielded a triumph and the another short match of the contest.
Leaving 10mm of grass on the wicket, resulting in numerous dismissals tumbling in less than a brief period, is not a fair contest between offense and defense.
A Diverse Legacy: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be qualified as not a proper Test, is mistaken.
Test cricket is a diverse canvas, 2,615 parts and counting. On occasion, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball behaves unpredictably for the fast men. Other times, it turns square on a spinning track. Sometimes, the pitch is dead, other times it bounces unevenly.
The exciting finishes are even more exciting because of the patience made in other matches.
Adjustment: The Real Challenge
Certain variables are tolerated more easily than others.
The contention in at the MCG was that the balance was tipped too far towards the bowlers. That the skilled individuals were hindered from showcasing their talents.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – reading the wicket and responding effectively. The best individual innings were made by acknowledged players. One line-up was less disciplined than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Sheer Celebration: The Supporters' View
Attempt to convince the supporters who have suffered a long drought that this was not entertaining.
In a corner of the stadium, countless fans waved their flags and sang their songs, generating a festive mood in a heartland of Australian cricket.
There was belief as the bowlers dominated, momentum when the top order responded, and pure joy when the win was confirmed.
Contrasting Examples: The Range of Test Matches
The venue has previous experience with difficult wickets. Previously, a Test there featured a pitch with the character of a a damp squib.
That match was a marathon, with limited drama and endless boredom. The two-day game and that previous match are extreme ends of the range – neither perfect, yet value can be ascribed to each.
Deep into the series into the ongoing battle, it is the shortest games that will be most remembered in the history books.
"This isn't the death of the long game at all," commented a former player. "Fans who have been fortunate to see these two days have been given some genuine drama. A unique show."
Signs of Progress: Looking Ahead
In the build-up to this match, the captain spoke like a man carrying the heavy burden on his mind.
The players protected him, restoring the joy to his face.
Emerging talents performed with key contributions. These are baby steps, not nearly enough to ensure long-term futures, but a foundation to use as a platform.
At the very least, this MCG win joins other historic performances in meaningless games.
As the fans left into a beautiful night, the players assembled on the turf to start their own enjoyment.
Celebrate the win, men. This victory was hard-fought.
