Within a glass case on the elevated floor of the MCG is housed a neon pink ensemble performed in by the entertainer. His show in front of a massive crowd of fans was considered a triumph.
Perhaps you don't like Robbie Williams. You might think he is the ultimate present to music the world has ever seen. Or you could adopt a reasonable stance, conceding that some songs are belting while others are poor.
The point being is that enjoyment can manifest in countless ways. Preferences differ. There is not a single method to create art or even five-day cricket.
The Peerless Spectrum of The Long Game
The traditional format boasts incomparable variety. One struggles to think of another sport where the playing is so dictated by the environment.
The weather, the time of day, the red ball – the factors are countless. Above all is the wicket.
If the format is a form of art, the pitch is the canvas on which the athletes craft their legacy.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test
The fourth Ashes Test between the old rivals was Test cricket cubism, the great game broken apart and reconstructed in an unusual manner.
Let's be clear, this isn't a defence of the pitch which produced a triumph and the another short match of the Ashes battle.
Having 10mm of grass on the wicket, leading to 36 wickets falling in less than two days, is not a balanced duel between offense and defense.
A Varied History: The Core of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a inferior show, one that should be qualified as inauthentic, is mistaken.
The long game is a rich tapestry, 2,615 parts and counting. Sometimes, like in Melbourne, the ball behaves unpredictably for the fast men. In contrast, it spins sharply on a spinning track. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.
The exciting finishes are even more exciting owing to the investment made during quieter periods.
Problem Solving: The Real Challenge
Some factors are tolerated more easily than others.
The debate in Melbourne was that the equilibrium was skewed excessively towards the fielding side. That the best players were prevented from demonstrating their skill.
Test cricket is about problem solving – interpreting the wicket and adapting accordingly. The two highest individual innings were made by world-class players. One side made more mistakes than the other, and thus were defeated.
Sheer Celebration: For Those Who Waited
Attempt to convince the supporters who have experienced years of defeat that this was not entertaining.
In a corner of the stadium, countless fans celebrated and created an atmosphere, fostering a carnival vibe in a stronghold of Australian cricket.
There was optimism as the bowlers surged, impetus when the top order scored quickly, and rapturous celebration when the win was confirmed.
Polar Opposites: The Range of Test Matches
The MCG has previous experience with controversial surfaces. Eight years ago, a game there featured a wicket with the excitement of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That fixture was a grind, with few wickets and interminable tedium. The two-day game and that previous match are extreme ends of the spectrum – one is not more the standard, yet value can be ascribed to both.
At this stage into the Ashes contest, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the history books.
"This isn't the death of the format at all," observed a past champion. "The people who have been privileged to see these two days have been experienced some real entertainment. An unusual spectacle."
Baby Steps: Looking Ahead
In the build-up to this match, the leader talked like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his mind.
The players delivered for him, restoring the joy to his countenance.
New faces delivered with crucial roles. These are small positives, hardly enough to ensure long-term stability, but a foundation to develop from.
At the very least, this Melbourne victory takes its place among other historic performances in similar circumstances.
As the fans slipped away into a glorious Melbourne evening, the squad assembled on the outfield to commence their own celebrations.
Savour the moment, lads. You've earned this one.
