Within a glass case on the elevated floor of the MCG sits a vibrant pink suit worn by Robbie Williams. His performance in front of a hundred thousand fans was seen as a triumph.
Perhaps you don't like his music. You might think he is the ultimate present to music known to man. Alternatively, you may hold a balanced view, conceding that some songs are fantastic while others are awful.
The central idea is that amusement can take many forms. Preferences differ. There is no one way to produce music or even five-day cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of Test Cricket
Test cricket boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the contest is so dictated by conditions.
The elements, the hour of play, the ball – the list is endless. Most important is the wicket.
If the long game is an artistic pursuit, the strip is the canvas on which the players paint their masterpiece.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test
The recent Melbourne match between the old rivals was Test cricket cubism, the traditional sport broken apart and stuck back together in abstract form.
This is not a defence of the wicket which resulted in a victory and the another short match of the Ashes battle.
Allowing excessive grass on the pitch, leading to 36 wickets tumbling in less than a brief period, is not an even battle between offense and defense.
A Diverse Legacy: The Core of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a inferior show, one that should be footnoted as inauthentic, is wide of the mark.
The format is a varied portfolio, 2,615 parts and counting. At times, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball behaves unpredictably for the seamers. Sometimes, it spins sharply on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it bounces unevenly.
The exciting finishes are particularly captivating owing to the time made during quieter periods.
Problem Solving: The Real Challenge
Some factors are embraced more easily than others.
The contention in during the match was that the contest was weighted unfairly towards the fielding side. That the best players were unable from demonstrating their skill.
Test cricket is about finding solutions – assessing the wicket and responding effectively. The two highest individual scores were made by acknowledged stars. One side committed more errors than the other, and thus were defeated.
Pure Elation: The Fan Perspective
Try telling the devotees who have experienced a long drought that this lacked spectacle.
In a corner of the MCG, a sea of people made noise and sang their songs, generating a party atmosphere in a stronghold of sport.
There was hope as the bowlers surged, advantage when batters fought back, and unconditional love when the victory was achieved.
Extreme Ends: The Range of Test Matches
The venue has form with difficult wickets. Previously, a match there featured a pitch with the excitement of a a non-event.
That fixture was a slog, with limited drama and interminable tedium. The latest encounter and that previous match are extreme ends of the spectrum – both are not the standard, yet historical weight can be attached to each.
At this stage into the ongoing battle, it is the shortest games that will be most remembered in the history books.
"Far from being the death of the long game at all," observed a former player. "Spectators who have been fortunate to see these two days have been treated to some genuine drama. Different entertainment."
Signs of Progress: Looking Ahead
In the lead-in to this Test, the captain talked like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his shoulders.
The squad delivered for him, reinstating the positive demeanor to his persona.
Different players stepped up with vital performances. These are baby steps, hardly enough to ensure long-term success, but something to develop from.
In the end, this triumph is added to other historic performances in similar circumstances.
As the crowd departed into a stunning sunset, the squad assembled on the field to begin their own enjoyment.
Enjoy the drink, lads. You've earned this one.
