In a glass case on the elevated floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium is housed a vibrant pink ensemble worn by Robbie Williams. His show in front of a hundred thousand spectators was seen as a triumph.
It's possible you appreciate the performer. Maybe you feel he is the finest offering to music known to man. Alternatively, you may hold a reasonable stance, admitting that some songs are excellent while others are awful.
The central idea is that enjoyment can take many forms. Tastes vary. There is not a single method to craft art or even Test cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Long Game
Test cricket boasts incomparable variety. It is hard to think of another sport where the contest is so reliant upon external factors.
The weather, the session, the ball – the factors are countless. Above all is the pitch.
If Test cricket is art, the pitch is the canvas on which the athletes craft their legacy.
An Abstract Contest: The MCG Match
The recent Melbourne match between the old rivals was an abstract version of cricket, the great game broken apart and reassembled in abstract form.
It must be stated this is not a defence of the pitch which yielded a triumph and the second two-day Test of the contest.
Having excessive grass on the wicket, resulting in numerous dismissals falling in less than six sessions, is not an even battle between offense and defense.
A Varied History: The Essence 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 wide of the mark.
The format is a rich tapestry, over two thousand matches and counting. At times, like in Melbourne, the ball moves excessively for the seamers. In contrast, it turns square on a spinning track. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it bounces unevenly.
The close matches are all the more thrilling due to the patience made elsewhere.
Adaptation: The True Test
Certain variables are tolerated more freely than others.
The contention in at the MCG was that the equilibrium was tipped too far towards the attack. That the skilled individuals were unable from showcasing their talents.
The format is about problem solving – reading the conditions and adapting appropriately. The two highest individual contributions were made by recognized stars. One side made more mistakes than the other, and thus lost.
Unbridled Joy: The Supporters' View
Go and inform the devotees who have endured a long drought that this wasn't compelling.
In one section of the ground, thousands celebrated and created an atmosphere, producing a festive mood in a heartland of Australian cricket.
There was hope as the fielding side excelled, impetus when players responded, and unconditional love when the victory was confirmed.
Polar Opposites: The Range of Test Matches
The venue has a history with difficult wickets. Previously, a match there featured a wicket with all the life of a a damp squib.
That contest was a marathon, with limited drama and endless boredom. The two-day game and that slow Test are polar opposites of the spectrum – neither perfect, yet value can be found in them.
Four Tests into the ongoing battle, it is the shortest games that will live longest in the memory.
"It's not the end of the format at all," observed a former player. "Fans who have been fortunate to see these 48 hours have been treated to some genuine drama. A unique show."
Small Victories: Building for the Future
In the build-up to this match, the skipper spoke like a man carrying the heavy burden on his mind.
The team responded for him, bringing back the smile to his countenance.
New faces performed with vital performances. These are small positives, hardly enough to ensure long-term stability, but something to develop from.
At the very least, this Melbourne victory joins other notable performances in dead rubbers.
As the fans left into a glorious Melbourne evening, the squad gathered on the turf to commence their own celebrations.
Enjoy the drink, lads. You've earned this one.
