Within a glass case on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium sits a neon pink suit donned by the pop star. His performance in front of a hundred thousand spectators was considered a major hit.
It's possible you appreciate Robbie Williams. Perhaps you believe he is the ultimate present to music in history. Or you could adopt a balanced view, conceding that some songs are fantastic while others are poor.
The point being is that amusement can take many forms. Tastes vary. There is not a single method to create art or even five-day cricket.
The Peerless Spectrum of The Test Format
Test cricket boasts peerless complexity. It is hard to think of another sport where the playing is so dictated by the environment.
The elements, the time of day, the ball – the variables are numerous. Above all is the playing surface.
If the long game is a form of art, the pitch is the blank slate on which the players paint their masterpiece.
A Test of Cubism: The MCG Match
The Boxing Day fixture between the old rivals was an abstract version of cricket, the traditional sport dismantled and reassembled in a bizarre shape.
Let's be clear, this isn't a endorsement of the surface which produced a win and the another short match of the contest.
Having excessive grass on the surface, causing a cascade of wickets falling in less than six sessions, is not an even battle between batter and bowler.
A Rich Tapestry: The Core of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a lesser event, one that should be marked with an asterisk as illegitimate, is incorrect.
The format is a diverse canvas, a long history and ongoing. On occasion, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball moves excessively for the pace bowlers. In contrast, it spins sharply on a dust bowl. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.
The thrillers are even more exciting due to the patience made during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The Real Challenge
Certain variables are tolerated more easily than others.
The contention in at the MCG was that the equilibrium was weighted unfairly towards the attack. That the top batters were hindered from demonstrating their skill.
The format is about finding solutions – interpreting the conditions and responding accordingly. The best individual innings were made by acknowledged batters. One line-up made more mistakes than the other, and thus were defeated.
Pure Elation: The Supporters' View
Go and inform the fans who have experienced 18 winless matches that this wasn't compelling.
In a corner of the stadium, thousands made noise and chanted, producing a party atmosphere in a bastion of sport.
There was hope as the bowlers excelled, impetus when batters scored quickly, and rapturous celebration when the result was confirmed.
Contrasting Examples: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The MCG has previous experience with controversial surfaces. In the past, a game there featured a wicket with the character of a a non-event.
That match was a marathon, with few wickets and endless boredom. The latest encounter and that drawn affair are polar opposites of the scale – both are not ideal, yet value can be attached to them.
Deep into the series into the ongoing battle, it is the two-day matches that will remain iconic in the history books.
"This isn't the death of Test cricket at all," commented a past champion. "Fans who have been lucky enough to see these short time have been given some fantastic sport. An unusual spectacle."
Signs of Progress: Looking Ahead
In the build-up to this Test, the captain talked like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his mind.
The players delivered for him, reinstating the positive demeanor to his face.
Different players performed with vital performances. These are small positives, not nearly enough to guarantee long-term success, but a starting point to use as a platform.
At the very least, this triumph is added to other historic performances in dead rubbers.
As the supporters slipped away into a beautiful night, the team assembled on the turf to start their own celebrations.
Celebrate the win, lads. It's well deserved.
