Displayed inside a display cabinet on the upper level of the MCG sits a vibrant pink ensemble performed in by the entertainer. His show in front of 100,024 spectators was seen as a success.
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 tracks are belting while others are poor.
The point being is that enjoyment can manifest in countless ways. Preferences differ. There is no universal formula to produce music or even the longest format.
The Incomparable Variety of Test Cricket
Test cricket boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the playing is so reliant upon the environment.
The climate, the time of day, the ball – the list is endless. Crucially is the pitch.
If the long game is a form of art, the wicket is the canvas on which the players craft their legacy.
A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test
The fourth Ashes Test between the old rivals was an abstract version of cricket, the established format broken apart and reassembled in a bizarre shape.
Let's be clear, this isn't a justification of the surface which resulted in a triumph and the another sub-three-day finish of the Ashes battle.
Having excessive grass on the surface, causing 36 wickets being taken in less than a brief period, is not a balanced duel between bat and ball.
A Diverse Legacy: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a lesser event, one that should be qualified as not a proper Test, is wide of the mark.
Test cricket is a diverse canvas, over two thousand matches and ongoing. Sometimes, like in Melbourne, the ball does all sorts for the fast men. Other times, it spins sharply on a spinning track. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.
The close matches are particularly captivating due to the patience made during quieter periods.
Problem Solving: The Real Challenge
Specific conditions are embraced more easily than others.
The argument in during the match was that the contest was weighted unfairly towards the attack. That the skilled individuals were hindered from playing their natural game.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – reading the situation and adjusting accordingly. The two highest individual contributions were made by recognized batters. One team made more mistakes than the other, and thus lost.
Pure Elation: The Fan Perspective
Try telling the supporters who have endured years of defeat that this lacked spectacle.
Among the crowd of the stadium, a sea of people made noise and sang their songs, generating a carnival vibe in a stronghold of national pride.
There was optimism as the fielding side surged, impetus when the top order scored quickly, and pure joy when the victory was achieved.
Contrasting Examples: The Variety of Test Matches
The Melbourne has previous experience with pitch problems. Eight years ago, a game there featured a pitch with all the life of a a damp squib.
That match was a grind, with limited drama and endless boredom. The latest encounter and that slow Test are extreme ends of the range – both are not the standard, yet historical weight can be attached to them.
Deep into the series into the current series, it is the quick finishes that will be most remembered in the collective consciousness.
"Far from being the end of Test cricket at all," observed a past champion. "Spectators who have been privileged to see these short time have been given some real entertainment. A unique show."
Small Victories: A Glimmer of Hope
In the lead-in to this Test, the leader spoke like a man carrying the weight of the world on his back.
The players protected him, restoring the smile to his face.
Emerging talents performed with crucial roles. These are incremental gains, not nearly enough to secure long-term stability, but a foundation to use as a platform.
In the end, this Melbourne victory joins other memorable performances in dead rubbers.
As the fans slipped away into a beautiful night, the team assembled on the outfield to start their own festivities.
Enjoy the drink, men. You've earned this one.
