Displayed inside a showcase on the upper level of the MCG rests a vibrant pink ensemble performed in by Robbie Williams. His concert in front of a massive crowd of attendees was seen as a success.
You might not like the performer. Perhaps you believe he is the finest offering to music known to man. You might take a middle ground, conceding that some songs are excellent while others are terrible.
The key argument is that amusement can take many forms. You like what you like. There is not a single method to create music or even Test cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Test Format
Test cricket boasts unrivalled depth. It's difficult to think of another sport where the outcome is so dictated by the environment.
The climate, the hour of play, the ball – the variables are numerous. Above all is the wicket.
If the long game is art, the wicket is the blank slate on which the players paint their masterpiece.
A Test of Cubism: The MCG Match
The fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England was Test cricket cubism, the established format dismantled and stuck back together in an unusual manner.
Let's be clear, this isn't a defence of the pitch which yielded a triumph and the second two-day Test of the series.
Having excessive grass on the wicket, leading to 36 wickets being taken in less than a brief period, is not a balanced duel between batter and bowler.
A Diverse Legacy: The Core of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is incorrect.
The long game is a rich tapestry, 2,615 parts and counting. At times, as witnessed recently, the ball behaves unpredictably for the seamers. Sometimes, it turns square on a dust bowl. Sometimes, the pitch is dead, other times it explodes.
The exciting finishes are particularly captivating because of the investment made during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The Real Challenge
Some factors are accepted more freely than others.
The contention in during the match was that the contest was skewed excessively towards the attack. That the skilled individuals were prevented from demonstrating their skill.
The format is about finding solutions – assessing the conditions and responding effectively. The best individual innings were made by recognized batters. One line-up was less disciplined than the other, and thus lost.
Pure Elation: For Those Who Waited
Attempt to convince the supporters who have suffered 18 winless matches that this lacked spectacle.
In a corner of the ground, a sea of people made noise and chanted, producing a carnival vibe in a heartland of national pride.
There was belief as the bowlers dominated, momentum when batters scored quickly, and unconditional love when the result was confirmed.
Contrasting Examples: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The MCG has a history with pitch problems. Previously, a match there featured a wicket with all the life of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That match was a marathon, with minimal action and slow play. This recent match and that drawn affair are diametrically opposed points of the scale – one is not more perfect, yet value can be found in both.
Deep into the series into the ongoing battle, it is the shortest games that will be most remembered in the history books.
"Far from being the death of the long game at all," said a past champion. "Fans who have been fortunate to see these two days have been given some fantastic sport. A unique show."
Signs of Progress: Looking Ahead
In the lead-in to this match, the captain spoke like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his back.
The team protected him, restoring the joy to his countenance.
Different players delivered with vital performances. These are baby steps, certainly not enough to ensure long-term success, but a starting point to use as a platform.
At the very least, this MCG win joins other memorable performances in similar circumstances.
As the fans left into a beautiful night, the players assembled on the turf to commence their own festivities.
Enjoy the drink, men. It's well deserved.
