Within a glass case on the elevated floor of the MCG sits a vibrant pink suit worn by Robbie Williams. The performance in front of a massive crowd of fans was considered a success.
It's possible you enjoy his music. Maybe you feel he is the greatest gift to music known to man. Or you could adopt a balanced view, conceding that some tracks are belting while others are awful.
The point being is that enjoyment can manifest in countless ways. You like what you like. There is no one way to produce art or even five-day cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of The Long Game
The traditional format boasts incomparable variety. It is hard to think of another sport where the playing is so reliant upon conditions.
The elements, the time of day, the cricket ball – the list is endless. Most important is the wicket.
If the long game is an artistic pursuit, the pitch is the canvas on which the cricketers create their art.
A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test
The recent Melbourne match between the old rivals was an abstract version of cricket, the traditional sport taken to pieces and reassembled in abstract form.
It must be stated this is not a endorsement of the pitch which produced a victory and the another short match of the Ashes battle.
Allowing a thick layer on the wicket, causing a cascade of wickets tumbling in less than a brief period, is not an even battle between offense and defense.
A Diverse Legacy: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a lesser event, one that should be qualified as not a proper Test, is incorrect.
The long game is a diverse canvas, a long history and counting. Sometimes, as witnessed recently, the ball moves excessively for the seamers. In contrast, it spins sharply on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is dead, other times it explodes.
The thrillers are even more exciting because of the time committed in other matches.
Adjustment: The Real Challenge
Specific conditions are tolerated more freely than others.
The contention in during the match was that the contest was weighted unfairly towards the fielding side. That the skilled individuals were unable from demonstrating their skill.
This level of cricket is about finding solutions – assessing the situation and responding appropriately. The best individual innings were made by world-class stars. One side was less disciplined than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Unbridled Joy: For Those Who Waited
Attempt to convince the supporters who have suffered 18 winless matches that this was not entertaining.
In a corner of the MCG, countless fans waved their flags and sang their songs, generating a party atmosphere in a heartland of national pride.
There was belief as the fielding side surged, momentum when the top order fought back, and unconditional love when the victory was confirmed.
Contrasting Examples: The Variety of Test Matches
The venue has previous experience with difficult wickets. Previously, a Test there featured a pitch with the excitement of a a non-event.
That fixture was a grind, with minimal action and slow play. The latest encounter and that slow Test are polar opposites of the range – 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 demise of the format at all," said a past champion. "The people who have been privileged to see these 48 hours have been given some fantastic sport. Different entertainment."
Signs of Progress: Building for the Future
In the lead-in to this Test, the captain talked like a man carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
The team responded for him, reinstating the smile to his face.
Emerging talents stepped up with key contributions. These are small positives, hardly enough to ensure long-term futures, but a starting point to use as a platform.
At the very least, this Melbourne victory is added to other historic performances in meaningless games.
As the crowd slipped away into a stunning sunset, the squad assembled on the outfield to commence their own festivities.
Celebrate the win, boys. You've earned this one.
