Within a glass case on the elevated floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium sits a electric pink ensemble worn by Robbie Williams. His performance in front of a hundred thousand spectators was seen as a success.
It's possible you like Robbie Williams. Perhaps you believe he is the greatest gift to music the world has ever seen. Or you could adopt a balanced view, acknowledging that some songs are fantastic while others are terrible.
The point being is that entertainment can take many forms. Tastes vary. There is no one way to create literature or even the longest format.
The Unrivalled Depth of Test Cricket
Test cricket boasts peerless complexity. It's difficult to think of another sport where the contest is so dependent on external factors.
The climate, the session, the ball – the variables are numerous. Above all is the pitch.
If the format is a form of art, the wicket is the blank slate on which the athletes craft their legacy.
A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test
The fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England was the game deconstructed, the great game taken to pieces and reassembled in an unusual manner.
Let's be clear, this isn't a defence of the pitch which yielded a triumph and the another sub-three-day finish of the contest.
Having a thick layer on the pitch, leading to a cascade of wickets falling 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 idea this was a inferior show, one that should be marked with an asterisk as illegitimate, is wide of the mark.
The long game is a diverse canvas, over two thousand matches and ongoing. On occasion, like in Melbourne, the ball moves excessively for the seamers. Other times, it grips and turns on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.
The thrillers are all the more thrilling because of the patience devoted elsewhere.
Problem Solving: The Real Challenge
Specific conditions are embraced more easily than others.
The argument in at the MCG was that the balance was tipped too far towards the attack. That the top batters were prevented from demonstrating their skill.
The format is about problem solving – assessing the conditions and adapting accordingly. The top two individual innings were made by recognized batters. One side was less disciplined than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Sheer Celebration: The Fan Perspective
Attempt to convince the fans who have suffered 18 winless matches that this wasn't compelling.
In a corner of the ground, countless fans waved their flags and created an atmosphere, fostering a party atmosphere in a heartland of sport.
There was hope as the fielding side surged, momentum when the top order fought back, and pure joy when the win was secured.
Polar Opposites: The Range of Test Matches
The venue has previous experience with difficult wickets. In the past, a match there featured a pitch with the excitement of a a non-event.
That fixture was a grind, with minimal action and endless boredom. This recent match and that slow Test are extreme ends of the scale – both are not perfect, yet historical weight can be ascribed to each.
Deep into the series into the Ashes contest, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the history books.
"It's not the end of the long game at all," observed a former player. "Spectators who have been privileged to see these short time have been given some fantastic sport. Different entertainment."
Small Victories: A Glimmer of Hope
In the build-up to this match, the leader addressed the media like a man carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
The team responded for him, reinstating the positive demeanor to his persona.
New faces stepped up with vital performances. These are baby steps, certainly not enough to secure long-term futures, but something to use as a platform.
Ultimately, this MCG win is added to other historic performances in dead rubbers.
As the supporters departed into a stunning sunset, the players gathered on the turf to begin their own festivities.
Savour the moment, men. You've earned this one.
