In a glass case on the elevated floor of the Melbourne Cricket Ground rests a vibrant pink ensemble performed in by Robbie Williams. The show in front of a massive crowd of attendees was hailed as a triumph.
It's possible you like Robbie Williams. Perhaps you believe he is the finest offering to music in history. You might take a middle ground, acknowledging that some hits are excellent while others are poor.
The key argument is that enjoyment can be delivered diversely. Tastes vary. There is no universal formula to create literature or even Test cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of Test Cricket
The traditional format boasts peerless complexity. It's difficult to think of another sport where the playing is so dependent on conditions.
The climate, the time of day, the cricket ball – the variables are numerous. Above all is the pitch.
If the long game is a form of art, the strip is the foundation on which the cricketers paint their masterpiece.
An Abstract Contest: The Fourth Test
The fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England was Test cricket cubism, the established format broken apart and stuck back together in a bizarre shape.
This is not a defence of the pitch which produced a triumph and the second two-day Test of the Ashes battle.
Leaving excessive grass on the pitch, causing a cascade of wickets tumbling 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 suggestion this was a inferior show, one that should be marked with an asterisk as not a proper Test, is mistaken.
The format is a diverse canvas, a long history and still growing. At times, like in Melbourne, the ball behaves unpredictably for the seamers. Other times, it spins sharply on a dust bowl. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it explodes.
The exciting finishes are all the more thrilling owing to the investment made in other matches.
Adaptation: The True Test
Certain variables are accepted more readily than others.
The debate in during the match was that the balance was skewed excessively towards the fielding side. That the best players were prevented from showcasing their talents.
The format is about problem solving – interpreting the conditions and adjusting effectively. The best individual contributions were made by recognized batters. One team made more mistakes than the other, and thus were defeated.
Sheer Celebration: The Supporters' View
Try telling the fans who have suffered 18 winless matches that this wasn't compelling.
In a corner of the stadium, a sea of people celebrated and created an atmosphere, generating a party atmosphere in a stronghold of national pride.
There was belief as the bowlers dominated, momentum when batters responded, and rapturous celebration when the victory was achieved.
Polar Opposites: The Variety of Test Matches
The venue has previous experience with difficult wickets. Previously, a Test there featured a wicket with all the life of a a damp squib.
That fixture was a marathon, with few wickets and interminable tedium. The latest encounter and that slow Test are extreme ends of the scale – neither the standard, yet historical weight can be found in both.
At this stage into the ongoing battle, it is the shortest games that will be most remembered in the history books.
"It's not the death of the format at all," said a veteran. "Spectators who have been fortunate to see these 48 hours have been experienced some real entertainment. A unique show."
Signs of Progress: Building for the Future
In the lead-in to this match, the captain spoke like a man carrying the weight of the world on his mind.
The team responded for him, restoring the joy to his countenance.
Emerging talents performed with key contributions. These are small positives, certainly not enough to secure long-term success, but a foundation to develop from.
At the very least, this MCG win joins other historic performances in dead rubbers.
As the fans slipped away into a stunning sunset, the team congregated on the turf to begin their own celebrations.
Enjoy the drink, lads. You've earned this one.
