Within a showcase on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium is housed a neon pink suit worn by the pop star. His concert in front of a hundred thousand spectators was considered a success.
You might not like Robbie Williams. Perhaps you believe he is the finest offering to music the world has ever seen. Alternatively, you may hold a reasonable stance, conceding that some hits are belting while others are terrible.
The point being is that amusement can manifest in countless ways. Tastes vary. There is not a single method to create art or even five-day cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of Test Cricket
The traditional format boasts peerless complexity. One struggles to think of another sport where the outcome is so dependent on external factors.
The climate, the time of day, the cricket ball – the list is endless. Crucially is the wicket.
If the format is art, the strip is the foundation on which the cricketers craft their legacy.
An Abstract Contest: The Fourth Test
The Boxing Day fixture between Australia and England was the game deconstructed, the established format taken to pieces and reassembled in abstract form.
It must be stated this is not a endorsement of the wicket which resulted in a triumph and the another short match of the series.
Leaving 10mm of grass on the wicket, leading to a cascade of wickets tumbling in less than six sessions, is not an even battle between bat and ball.
A Rich Tapestry: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a inferior show, one that should be marked with an asterisk as illegitimate, is mistaken.
The format is a diverse canvas, a long history and counting. At times, like in Melbourne, the ball behaves unpredictably for the fast men. In contrast, it turns square on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it spits like a cobra.
The thrillers are even more exciting because of the investment devoted elsewhere.
Adjustment: The Real Challenge
Some factors are tolerated more freely than others.
The debate in at the MCG was that the contest was skewed excessively towards the fielding side. That the top batters were hindered from demonstrating their skill.
The format is about problem solving – interpreting the conditions and responding accordingly. The two highest individual contributions were made by recognized players. One side made more mistakes than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Sheer Celebration: The Fan Perspective
Go and inform the supporters who have endured a long drought that this was not entertaining.
In a corner of the stadium, thousands celebrated and created an atmosphere, generating a festive mood in a stronghold of Australian cricket.
There was optimism as the fielding side surged, impetus when players fought back, and rapturous celebration when the victory was achieved.
Contrasting Examples: The Variety of Test Matches
The MCG has a history with difficult wickets. In the past, a match there featured a wicket with all the life of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That contest was a slog, with few wickets and endless boredom. The two-day game and that drawn affair are polar opposites of the spectrum – neither perfect, yet value can be ascribed to each.
Deep into the series into the ongoing battle, it is the shortest games that will live longest in the memory.
"This isn't the demise of the long game at all," commented a past champion. "Fans who have been lucky enough to see these 48 hours have been given some fantastic sport. Different entertainment."
Baby Steps: Looking Ahead
In the build-up to this match, the leader addressed the media like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his mind.
The team responded for him, restoring the positive demeanor to his persona.
New faces stepped up with key contributions. These are incremental gains, hardly enough to guarantee long-term futures, but something to use as a platform.
In the end, this triumph is added to other notable performances in dead rubbers.
As the fans departed into a stunning sunset, the players gathered on the outfield to commence their own celebrations.
Savour the moment, boys. It's well deserved.
