Within a glass case on the elevated floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium rests a vibrant pink outfit donned by the entertainer. His performance in front of a hundred thousand fans was seen as a success.
You might not like Robbie Williams. You might think he is the finest offering to music known to man. Or you could adopt a balanced view, conceding that some tracks are belting while others are terrible.
The key argument is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. Tastes vary. There is not a single method to produce music or even five-day cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Long Game
Test cricket boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the contest is so dictated by external factors.
The climate, the hour of play, the red ball – the list is endless. Crucially is the pitch.
If the long game is art, the strip is the blank slate on which the cricketers craft their legacy.
An Abstract Contest: The Melbourne Spectacle
The fourth Ashes Test between the two sides was the game deconstructed, the established format dismantled and stuck back together in a bizarre shape.
It must be stated this is not a justification of the wicket which resulted in a triumph and the another sub-three-day finish of the series.
Leaving excessive grass on the wicket, leading to numerous dismissals tumbling in less than two days, is not a fair contest between offense and defense.
A Rich Tapestry: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a lesser event, one that should be marked with an asterisk as not a proper Test, is wide of the mark.
The long game is a rich tapestry, a long history and ongoing. On occasion, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball behaves unpredictably for the fast men. Sometimes, it turns square on a spinning track. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it spits like a cobra.
The close matches are all the more thrilling because of the patience committed elsewhere.
Problem Solving: The Real Challenge
Certain variables are embraced more readily than others.
The contention in Melbourne was that the equilibrium was weighted unfairly towards the fielding side. That the top batters were unable from demonstrating their skill.
The format is about finding solutions – interpreting the conditions and responding appropriately. The two highest individual scores were made by recognized players. One line-up committed more errors than the other, and thus lost.
Unbridled Joy: The Supporters' View
Go and inform the devotees who have suffered a long drought that this lacked spectacle.
Among the crowd of the MCG, thousands waved their flags and created an atmosphere, fostering a party atmosphere in a bastion of national pride.
There was optimism as the bowlers dominated, advantage when players responded, and unconditional love when the result was secured.
Contrasting Examples: The Range of Test Matches
The venue has a history with pitch problems. In the past, a match there featured a wicket with the excitement of a a non-event.
That contest was a grind, with limited drama and endless boredom. The latest encounter and that slow Test are diametrically opposed points of the scale – one is not more ideal, yet historical weight can be ascribed to both.
Deep into the series into the ongoing battle, it is the shortest games that will be most remembered in the memory.
"It's not the end of Test cricket at all," said a past champion. "The people who have been lucky enough to see these 48 hours have been given some real entertainment. Different entertainment."
Signs of Progress: Looking Ahead
In the build-up to this Test, the captain talked like a man carrying the weight of the world on his mind.
The players protected him, bringing back the joy to his countenance.
New faces performed with vital performances. These are incremental gains, certainly not enough to secure long-term futures, but a starting point to build on.
Ultimately, this MCG win joins other memorable performances in meaningless games.
As the fans departed into a stunning sunset, the team gathered on the outfield to begin their own enjoyment.
Enjoy the drink, boys. You've earned this one.
