Within a glass case on the elevated floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium is housed a vibrant pink outfit worn by Robbie Williams. The show in front of 100,024 fans was seen as a major hit.
It's possible you enjoy Robbie Williams. You might think he is the ultimate present to music known to man. Or you could adopt a middle ground, acknowledging that some hits are fantastic while others are awful.
The central idea is that entertainment can be delivered diversely. You like what you like. There is no universal formula to craft art or even Test cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of Test Cricket
The traditional format boasts peerless complexity. It's difficult to think of another sport where the playing is so dictated by external factors.
The weather, the session, the cricket ball – the list is endless. Most important is the pitch.
If the format is a form of art, the pitch is the foundation on which the cricketers create their art.
A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test
The recent Melbourne match between Australia and England was the game deconstructed, the great game broken apart and reassembled in an unusual manner.
It must be stated this is not a endorsement of the pitch which yielded a win and the another sub-three-day finish of the series.
Leaving 10mm of grass on the wicket, leading to numerous dismissals being taken in less than a brief period, is not an even battle between offense and defense.
A Diverse Legacy: The Core of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a inferior show, one that should be marked with an asterisk as not a proper Test, is wide of the mark.
The format is a rich tapestry, a long history and still growing. On occasion, as seen at the MCG, the cricket ball moves excessively for the pace bowlers. Sometimes, it turns square on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.
The thrillers are particularly captivating due to the patience made in other matches.
Adjustment: The Real Challenge
Certain variables are accepted more freely than others.
The contention in Melbourne was that the equilibrium was tipped too far towards the fielding side. That the skilled individuals were unable from playing their natural game.
The format is about problem solving – interpreting the wicket and responding effectively. The two highest individual scores were made by world-class batters. One side committed more errors than the other, and thus lost.
Pure Elation: The Supporters' View
Try telling the fans who have endured 18 winless matches that this was not entertaining.
In one section of the ground, thousands made noise and sang their songs, generating a carnival vibe in a stronghold of Australian cricket.
There was belief as the bowlers surged, momentum when players scored quickly, and pure joy when the victory was achieved.
Extreme Ends: The Variety of Test Matches
The venue has form with controversial surfaces. In the past, a game there featured a wicket with the character of a a non-event.
That contest was a marathon, with limited drama and endless boredom. The two-day game and that drawn affair are polar opposites of the range – both are not the standard, yet significance can be found in each.
At this stage into the ongoing battle, it is the shortest games that will remain iconic in the collective consciousness.
"This isn't the end of the format at all," said a veteran. "Fans who have been fortunate to see these short time have been experienced some real entertainment. Different entertainment."
Signs of Progress: Building for the Future
In the preparation to this match, the skipper spoke like a man carrying the heavy burden on his shoulders.
The team protected him, bringing back the joy to his persona.
New faces performed with vital performances. These are incremental gains, hardly enough to guarantee long-term success, but a starting point to build on.
At the very least, this MCG win takes its place among other notable performances in dead rubbers.
As the supporters departed into a beautiful night, the team congregated on the turf to start their own enjoyment.
Enjoy the drink, lads. You've earned this one.
