Within a glass case on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium rests a electric pink outfit donned by the entertainer. His performance in front of a hundred thousand fans was hailed as a major hit.
Perhaps you don't appreciate Robbie Williams. Perhaps you believe he is the greatest gift to music the world has ever seen. Alternatively, you may hold a reasonable stance, admitting that some tracks are excellent while others are awful.
The point being is that amusement can manifest in countless ways. Tastes vary. There is no one way to create art or even the longest format.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Test Format
Test cricket boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the outcome is so dependent on the environment.
The elements, the time of day, the cricket ball – the variables are numerous. Most important is the pitch.
If the format is a form of art, the pitch is the blank slate on which the athletes create their art.
An Abstract Contest: The Melbourne Spectacle
The Boxing Day fixture between the old rivals was the game deconstructed, the traditional sport dismantled and reconstructed in abstract form.
This is not a defence of the wicket which produced a triumph and the second two-day Test of the contest.
Allowing a thick layer on the wicket, leading to numerous dismissals falling in less than two days, is not a balanced duel between offense and defense.
A Varied History: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a inferior show, one that should be footnoted as inauthentic, is wide of the mark.
The long game is a rich tapestry, 2,615 parts and still growing. On occasion, as seen at the MCG, the ball moves excessively for the fast men. In contrast, it grips and turns on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it bounces unevenly.
The thrillers are particularly captivating owing to the time devoted during quieter periods.
Adaptation: The Core Skill
Specific conditions are embraced more easily than others.
The argument in during the match was that the equilibrium was tipped too far towards the attack. That the skilled individuals were unable from showcasing their talents.
Test cricket is about problem solving – assessing the wicket and adjusting accordingly. The top two individual scores were made by recognized players. One line-up committed more errors than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Unbridled Joy: The Supporters' View
Try telling the fans who have endured years of defeat that this wasn't compelling.
Among the crowd of the MCG, a sea of people celebrated and sang their songs, producing a carnival vibe in a heartland of Australian cricket.
There was hope as the attack dominated, momentum when the top order fought back, and rapturous celebration when the win was secured.
Polar Opposites: The Variety of Test Matches
The MCG has form with difficult wickets. Previously, a game there featured a wicket with the excitement of a a damp squib.
That match was a slog, with limited drama and slow play. The latest encounter and that drawn affair are diametrically opposed points of the scale – neither the standard, yet value can be found in them.
At this stage into the Ashes contest, it is the two-day matches that will remain iconic in the memory.
"This isn't the death of the format at all," said a past champion. "Spectators who have been lucky enough to see these 48 hours have been given some real entertainment. Different entertainment."
Signs of Progress: 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 back.
The players responded for him, bringing back the joy to his face.
New faces performed with key contributions. These are baby steps, hardly enough to secure long-term futures, but a starting point to use as a platform.
In the end, this Melbourne victory joins other historic performances in dead rubbers.
As the supporters left into a glorious Melbourne evening, the team congregated on the outfield to commence their own celebrations.
Enjoy the drink, boys. You've earned this one.
