Within a showcase on the upper level of the Melbourne Cricket Ground is housed a electric pink outfit worn by Robbie Williams. His performance in front of a massive crowd of fans was considered a major hit.
Perhaps you don't like Robbie Williams. Perhaps you believe he is the ultimate present to music the world has ever seen. Alternatively, you may hold a balanced view, conceding that some songs are belting while others are terrible.
The key argument is that enjoyment can take many forms. You like what you like. There is not a single method to craft music or even the longest format.
The Incomparable Variety of Test Cricket
The traditional format boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the contest is so dependent on the environment.
The elements, the time of day, the ball – the list is endless. Above all is the wicket.
If Test cricket is art, the strip is the foundation on which the cricketers create their art.
A Test of Cubism: The Melbourne Spectacle
The fourth Ashes Test between the two sides was the game deconstructed, the great game dismantled and reassembled in a bizarre shape.
Let's be clear, this isn't a endorsement of the pitch which resulted in a victory and the second two-day Test of the series.
Leaving 10mm of grass on the pitch, leading to numerous dismissals tumbling in less than two days, is not a fair contest between batter and bowler.
A Rich Tapestry: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a lesser event, one that should be footnoted as illegitimate, is mistaken.
The format is a diverse canvas, 2,615 parts and ongoing. At times, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball does all sorts for the seamers. In contrast, it spins sharply on a dust bowl. Sometimes, the pitch is dead, other times it explodes.
The thrillers are all the more thrilling due to the investment devoted during quieter periods.
Adaptation: The Real Challenge
Specific conditions are tolerated more easily than others.
The debate in Melbourne was that the equilibrium was tipped too far towards the fielding side. That the skilled individuals were unable from showcasing their talents.
Test cricket is about finding solutions – interpreting the situation and responding accordingly. The top two individual innings were made by recognized players. One line-up committed more errors than the other, and thus were defeated.
Sheer Celebration: The Supporters' View
Attempt to convince the supporters who have suffered 18 winless matches that this lacked spectacle.
In a corner of the MCG, a sea of people waved their flags and chanted, producing a party atmosphere in a stronghold of national pride.
There was optimism as the fielding side dominated, momentum when batters responded, and rapturous celebration when the win was achieved.
Contrasting Examples: The Range of Test Matches
The venue has form with difficult wickets. In the past, a match there featured a wicket with the excitement of a a non-event.
That contest was a grind, with few wickets and slow play. The latest encounter and that previous match are polar opposites of the scale – both are not the standard, yet significance can be ascribed to each.
At this stage into the ongoing battle, it is the two-day matches that will be most remembered in the history books.
"This isn't the death of Test cricket at all," said a past champion. "Spectators who have been fortunate to see these 48 hours have been experienced some fantastic sport. A unique show."
Baby Steps: A Glimmer of Hope
In the lead-in to this match, the skipper spoke like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his mind.
The players protected him, reinstating the positive demeanor to his countenance.
Emerging talents delivered with key contributions. These are small positives, hardly enough to ensure long-term stability, but a starting point to develop from.
At the very least, this MCG win takes its place among other notable performances in similar circumstances.
As the fans slipped away into a glorious Melbourne evening, the team gathered on the turf to begin their own celebrations.
Enjoy the drink, lads. It's well deserved.
