Displayed inside a glass case on the elevated floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium rests a vibrant pink ensemble worn by the pop star. His concert in front of a hundred thousand fans was seen as a triumph.
You might not appreciate Robbie Williams. Maybe you feel he is the greatest gift to music in history. You might take a middle ground, admitting that some songs are excellent while others are terrible.
The key argument is that enjoyment can manifest in countless ways. Tastes vary. There is no one way to craft literature or even five-day cricket.
The Peerless Spectrum of The Test Format
The traditional format boasts incomparable variety. It's difficult to think of another sport where the playing is so dictated by the environment.
The climate, the hour of play, the ball – the list is endless. Most important is the wicket.
If the format is an artistic pursuit, the strip is the blank slate on which the cricketers paint their masterpiece.
An Abstract Contest: The Melbourne Spectacle
The fourth Ashes Test between the two sides was an abstract version of cricket, the traditional sport taken to pieces and reconstructed in abstract form.
This is not a endorsement of the surface which yielded a win and the another sub-three-day finish of the series.
Allowing 10mm of grass on the surface, resulting in numerous dismissals being taken in less than six sessions, is not a fair contest between bat and ball.
A Diverse Legacy: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be marked with an asterisk as not a proper Test, is incorrect.
Test cricket is a rich tapestry, 2,615 parts and ongoing. At times, as seen at the MCG, the cricket ball moves excessively for the fast men. Sometimes, it turns square on a spinning track. At other venues, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it explodes.
The thrillers are even more exciting because of the patience made during quieter periods.
Adaptation: The Core Skill
Some factors are embraced more easily than others.
The debate in Melbourne was that the contest was skewed excessively towards the bowlers. That the top batters were prevented from demonstrating their skill.
The format is about finding solutions – assessing the conditions and responding effectively. The two highest individual innings were made by recognized stars. One team made more mistakes than the other, and thus were defeated.
Sheer Celebration: For Those Who Waited
Go and inform the supporters who have endured years of defeat that this lacked spectacle.
In one section of the ground, countless fans waved their flags and sang their songs, producing a carnival vibe in a heartland of national pride.
There was belief as the fielding side excelled, impetus when the top order fought back, and pure joy when the win was achieved.
Polar Opposites: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The venue has form with pitch problems. In the past, a Test there featured a strip with all the life of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That fixture was a slog, with minimal action and slow play. The two-day game and that slow Test are diametrically opposed points of the spectrum – both are not perfect, yet value can be ascribed to each.
At this stage into the current series, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the history books.
"Far from being the end of the format at all," commented a veteran. "The people who have been privileged to see these 48 hours have been given some genuine drama. An unusual spectacle."
Signs of Progress: A Glimmer of Hope
In the lead-in to this Test, the leader spoke like a man carrying the heavy burden on his shoulders.
The team delivered for him, reinstating the joy to his countenance.
Emerging talents performed with vital performances. These are incremental gains, not nearly enough to guarantee long-term futures, but a foundation to develop from.
Ultimately, this MCG win is added to other memorable performances in dead rubbers.
As the supporters left into a glorious Melbourne evening, the team gathered on the outfield to begin their own celebrations.
Enjoy the drink, men. This victory was hard-fought.
