Within a display cabinet on the elevated floor of the MCG sits a neon pink suit worn by the entertainer. The concert in front of a hundred thousand fans was considered a triumph.
Perhaps you don't appreciate Robbie Williams. Maybe you feel he is the ultimate present to music the world has ever seen. You might take a reasonable stance, acknowledging that some songs are fantastic while others are awful.
The central idea is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. You like what you like. There is no universal formula to create art or even the longest format.
The Incomparable Variety of The Long Game
The traditional format boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the playing is so dependent on conditions.
The climate, the hour of play, the red ball – the list is endless. Above all is the wicket.
If Test cricket is art, the strip is the foundation on which the cricketers paint their masterpiece.
An Abstract Contest: The Fourth Test
The Boxing Day fixture between the old rivals was Test cricket cubism, the traditional sport broken apart and reassembled in abstract form.
It must be stated this is not a justification of the wicket which yielded a victory and the second two-day Test of the Ashes battle.
Leaving excessive grass on the wicket, causing numerous dismissals being taken in less than six sessions, is not an even battle between bat and ball.
A Rich Tapestry: The Core of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be marked with an asterisk as not a proper Test, is wide of the mark.
Test cricket is a diverse canvas, a long history and counting. On occasion, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball moves excessively for the pace bowlers. Sometimes, it grips and turns on a dust bowl. Sometimes, the pitch is dead, other times it bounces unevenly.
The exciting finishes are even more exciting due to the time committed during quieter periods.
Adaptation: The True Test
Specific conditions are tolerated more readily than others.
The contention in Melbourne was that the balance was skewed excessively towards the fielding side. That the skilled individuals were hindered from showcasing their talents.
The format is about problem solving – reading the conditions and adjusting accordingly. The two highest individual contributions were made by recognized batters. One line-up was less disciplined than the other, and thus were defeated.
Sheer Celebration: The Fan Perspective
Try telling the fans who have endured a long drought that this wasn't compelling.
In a corner of the MCG, a sea of people made noise and sang their songs, generating a carnival vibe in a bastion of sport.
There was optimism as the attack surged, impetus when the top order fought back, and rapturous celebration when the win was achieved.
Polar Opposites: The Range of Test Matches
The Melbourne has a history with controversial surfaces. Eight years ago, a match there featured a wicket with all the life of a a non-event.
That match was a slog, with limited drama and endless boredom. The latest encounter and that slow Test are polar opposites of the range – one is not more ideal, yet value can be found in each.
At this stage into the current series, it is the two-day matches that will remain iconic in the history books.
"Far from being the death of the long game at all," said a past champion. "The people who have been lucky enough to see these 48 hours have been given some genuine drama. An unusual spectacle."
Small Victories: Looking Ahead
In the preparation to this Test, the skipper addressed the media like a man carrying the heavy burden on his mind.
The team responded for him, restoring the joy to his persona.
Emerging talents delivered with vital performances. These are small positives, hardly enough to secure long-term stability, but a starting point to develop from.
In the end, this triumph joins other notable performances in dead rubbers.
As the fans left into a glorious Melbourne evening, the squad assembled on the outfield to start their own enjoyment.
Savour the moment, men. It's well deserved.
