Within a showcase on the third floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium is housed a electric pink ensemble worn by the entertainer. His concert in front of a massive crowd of attendees was hailed as a triumph.
You might not appreciate Robbie Williams. Maybe you feel he is the greatest gift to music in history. You might take a middle ground, acknowledging that some hits are belting while others are awful.
The point being is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. Preferences differ. There is not a single method to craft music or even Test cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of The Test Format
The five-day game boasts unrivalled depth. One struggles to think of another sport where the outcome is so dictated by conditions.
The weather, the hour of play, the cricket ball – the variables are numerous. Crucially is the playing surface.
If Test cricket is a form of art, the wicket is the foundation on which the players create their art.
A Broken-Down Battle: The MCG Match
The fourth Ashes Test between the two sides was Test cricket cubism, the great game taken to pieces and stuck back together in an unusual manner.
It must be stated this is not a defence of the pitch which yielded a triumph and the another short match of the Ashes battle.
Having 10mm of grass on the pitch, leading to numerous dismissals being taken in less than a brief period, is not an even battle between batter and bowler.
A Varied History: The Core of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a inferior show, one that should be qualified as not a proper Test, is incorrect.
Test cricket is a diverse canvas, 2,615 parts and ongoing. At times, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball behaves unpredictably for the seamers. In contrast, it turns square on a dust bowl. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it spits like a cobra.
The close matches are even more exciting owing to the time made during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The True Test
Certain variables are tolerated more freely than others.
The argument in during the match was that the equilibrium was weighted unfairly towards the attack. That the skilled individuals were unable from demonstrating their skill.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – assessing the situation and adjusting appropriately. The best individual contributions were made by world-class stars. One side was less disciplined than the other, and thus lost.
Pure Elation: The Supporters' View
Go and inform the fans who have endured years of defeat that this wasn't compelling.
In a corner of the ground, countless fans made noise and created an atmosphere, generating a carnival vibe in a heartland of national pride.
There was optimism as the bowlers dominated, advantage when batters scored quickly, and rapturous celebration when the victory was confirmed.
Contrasting Examples: The Variety of Test Matches
The MCG has previous experience with pitch problems. In the past, a match there featured a strip with the character of a a non-event.
That fixture was a grind, with limited drama and interminable tedium. The two-day game and that slow Test are extreme ends of the spectrum – both are not the standard, yet value can be ascribed to each.
Deep into the series into the current series, it is the quick finishes that will be most remembered in the memory.
"This isn't the death of the long game at all," commented a former player. "The people who have been privileged to see these 48 hours have been experienced some real entertainment. A unique show."
Baby Steps: A Glimmer of Hope
In the build-up to this Test, the leader spoke like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his mind.
The players delivered for him, reinstating the smile to his countenance.
New faces delivered with vital performances. These are incremental gains, certainly not enough to guarantee long-term futures, but a starting point to use as a platform.
At the very least, this Melbourne victory takes its place among other memorable performances in dead rubbers.
As the crowd departed into a stunning sunset, the team gathered on the field to start their own celebrations.
Savour the moment, lads. It's well deserved.
