Displayed inside a showcase on the elevated floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium sits a vibrant pink ensemble performed in by the entertainer. His show in front of 100,024 spectators was seen as a success.
You might not appreciate Robbie Williams. You might think he is the ultimate present to music known to man. Or you could adopt a middle ground, conceding that some hits are belting while others are terrible.
The key argument is that enjoyment can be delivered diversely. You like what you like. There is no one way to craft literature or even Test cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of Test Cricket
The traditional format boasts unrivalled depth. One struggles to think of another sport where the contest is so dictated by conditions.
The elements, the hour of play, the ball – the factors are countless. Above all is the pitch.
If Test cricket is art, the wicket is the blank slate on which the players create their art.
An Abstract Contest: The Fourth Test
The Boxing Day fixture between the old rivals was an abstract version of cricket, the traditional sport dismantled and reconstructed in a bizarre shape.
It must be stated this is not a endorsement of the pitch which produced a win and the another sub-three-day finish of the contest.
Allowing a thick layer on the wicket, causing numerous dismissals being taken in less than two days, is not an even battle between bat and ball.
A Varied History: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a inferior show, one that should be marked with an asterisk as not a proper Test, is incorrect.
Test cricket is a diverse canvas, 2,615 parts and counting. At times, as seen at the MCG, the cricket ball behaves unpredictably for the pace bowlers. Other times, it spins sharply on a dust bowl. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it explodes.
The close matches are all the more thrilling because of the time devoted during quieter periods.
Problem Solving: The Real Challenge
Certain variables are accepted more readily than others.
The contention in Melbourne was that the contest was weighted unfairly towards the fielding side. That the top batters were prevented from demonstrating their skill.
Test cricket is about adapting to challenges – assessing the situation and adjusting accordingly. The two highest individual contributions were made by recognized batters. One line-up was less disciplined than the other, and thus lost.
Sheer Celebration: The Supporters' View
Try telling the devotees who have experienced years of defeat that this lacked spectacle.
In one section of the MCG, thousands celebrated and created an atmosphere, generating a party atmosphere in a heartland of sport.
There was optimism as the attack surged, momentum when batters fought back, and unconditional love when the win was secured.
Polar Opposites: The Variety of Test Matches
The Melbourne has previous experience with difficult wickets. Previously, a Test there featured a strip with the excitement of a a damp squib.
That fixture was a marathon, with limited drama and slow play. This recent match and that slow Test are extreme ends of the spectrum – neither the standard, yet historical weight can be ascribed to both.
At this stage into the Ashes contest, it is the quick finishes that will remain iconic in the collective consciousness.
"It's not the demise of the format at all," commented a veteran. "Spectators who have been fortunate to see these 48 hours have been given some genuine drama. An unusual spectacle."
Baby Steps: Looking Ahead
In the build-up to this Test, the captain talked like a man carrying the weight of the world on his back.
The team responded for him, restoring the positive demeanor to his persona.
Different players performed with vital performances. These are small positives, certainly not enough to ensure long-term futures, but a starting point to develop from.
At the very least, this Melbourne victory is added to other historic performances in similar circumstances.
As the fans slipped away into a stunning sunset, the squad gathered on the turf to commence their own celebrations.
Savour the moment, lads. It's well deserved.
