In a showcase on the upper level of the Melbourne Cricket Ground rests a neon pink suit donned by the pop star. His show in front of a hundred thousand attendees was seen as a triumph.
You might not enjoy Robbie Williams. Perhaps you believe he is the ultimate present to music known to man. You might take a reasonable stance, conceding that some hits are belting while others are awful.
The key argument is that amusement can be delivered diversely. Tastes vary. There is no universal formula to craft art or even the longest format.
The Incomparable Variety of Test Cricket
The traditional format boasts incomparable variety. It is hard to think of another sport where the contest is so reliant upon conditions.
The elements, the session, the cricket ball – the variables are numerous. Most important is the pitch.
If the format is an artistic pursuit, the pitch is the foundation on which the players paint their masterpiece.
An Abstract Contest: The MCG Match
The fourth Ashes Test between the old rivals was the game deconstructed, the traditional sport dismantled and stuck back together in an unusual manner.
It must be stated this is not a justification of the surface which resulted in a victory and the another sub-three-day finish of the series.
Having excessive grass on the pitch, causing numerous dismissals tumbling in less than a brief period, is not a balanced duel between batter and bowler.
A Diverse Legacy: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a inferior show, one that should be footnoted as illegitimate, is wide of the mark.
The format is a varied portfolio, a long history and counting. At times, like in Melbourne, the ball does all sorts for the fast men. Sometimes, it spins sharply on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is dead, other times it bounces unevenly.
The exciting finishes are particularly captivating because of the patience made during quieter periods.
Problem Solving: The Core Skill
Certain variables are tolerated more freely than others.
The debate in Melbourne was that the contest was weighted unfairly towards the bowlers. That the skilled individuals were prevented from playing their natural game.
Test cricket is about adapting to challenges – interpreting the wicket and adjusting effectively. The two highest individual innings were made by acknowledged batters. One side committed more errors than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Pure Elation: For Those Who Waited
Attempt to convince the devotees who have experienced a long drought that this was not entertaining.
In one section of the stadium, thousands made noise and chanted, producing a festive mood in a stronghold of national pride.
There was optimism as the fielding side dominated, impetus when batters fought back, and rapturous celebration when the victory was achieved.
Polar Opposites: The Range of Test Matches
The venue has previous experience with controversial surfaces. Previously, a game there featured a pitch with all the life of a a non-event.
That fixture was a grind, with limited drama and interminable tedium. This recent match and that drawn affair are diametrically opposed points of the scale – one is not more ideal, yet value can be ascribed to each.
At this stage into the ongoing battle, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the collective consciousness.
"This isn't the end of Test cricket at all," said a past champion. "Spectators who have been fortunate to see these two days have been given some real entertainment. A unique show."
Small Victories: A Glimmer of Hope
In the preparation to this match, the leader addressed the media like a man carrying the weight of the world on his mind.
The squad protected him, restoring the positive demeanor to his face.
Different players stepped up with crucial roles. These are incremental gains, hardly enough to secure long-term success, but a starting point to develop from.
In the end, this MCG win takes its place among other notable performances in dead rubbers.
As the supporters left into a glorious Melbourne evening, the players congregated on the outfield to start their own enjoyment.
Enjoy the drink, men. It's well deserved.
