Within a glass case on the third floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium rests a vibrant pink ensemble performed in by the entertainer. His show in front of a massive crowd of spectators was seen as a success.
Perhaps you don't appreciate Robbie Williams. You might think he is the greatest gift to music in history. Or you could adopt a balanced view, conceding that some tracks are fantastic while others are awful.
The point being is that amusement can take many forms. Tastes vary. There is no universal formula to create music or even five-day cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of Test Cricket
The traditional format boasts incomparable variety. It is hard to think of another sport where the playing is so reliant upon external factors.
The elements, the session, the cricket ball – the variables are numerous. Crucially is the playing surface.
If Test cricket is an artistic pursuit, the wicket is the blank slate on which the athletes paint their masterpiece.
An Abstract Contest: The Melbourne Spectacle
The Boxing Day fixture between Australia and England was an abstract version of cricket, the traditional sport broken apart and reconstructed in abstract form.
It must be stated this is not a defence of the wicket which resulted in a victory and the second two-day Test of the Ashes battle.
Having 10mm of grass on the wicket, leading to 36 wickets being taken in less than two days, is not a balanced duel between batter and bowler.
A Varied History: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a inferior show, one that should be qualified as not a proper Test, is wide of the mark.
The long game is a varied portfolio, a long history and ongoing. At times, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball moves excessively for the pace bowlers. Other times, it turns square on a spinning track. At other venues, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it explodes.
The thrillers are particularly captivating due to the patience devoted during quieter periods.
Problem Solving: The Core Skill
Certain variables are embraced more readily than others.
The debate in Melbourne was that the equilibrium was skewed excessively towards the attack. That the skilled individuals were hindered from playing their natural game.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – assessing the wicket and adapting accordingly. The best individual contributions were made by recognized players. One line-up was less disciplined than the other, and thus were defeated.
Unbridled Joy: For Those Who Waited
Try telling the devotees who have endured 18 winless matches that this lacked spectacle.
In one section of the stadium, countless fans celebrated and chanted, generating a party atmosphere in a bastion of national pride.
There was optimism as the bowlers excelled, momentum when batters scored quickly, and rapturous celebration when the win was confirmed.
Contrasting Examples: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The venue has previous experience with difficult wickets. In the past, a Test there featured a wicket with the character of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That match was a grind, with limited drama and slow play. The two-day game and that slow Test are diametrically opposed points of the range – neither ideal, yet value can be found in them.
At this stage into the current series, it is the quick finishes that will be most remembered in the collective consciousness.
"Far from being the death of the long game at all," said a past champion. "The people who have been privileged to see these two days have been treated to some fantastic sport. An unusual spectacle."
Baby Steps: A Glimmer of Hope
In the build-up to this Test, the skipper talked like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his back.
The players protected him, restoring the positive demeanor to his persona.
Different players stepped up with key contributions. These are baby steps, not nearly enough to secure long-term stability, but a starting point to build on.
In the end, this MCG win is added to other historic performances in similar circumstances.
As the fans left into a stunning sunset, the squad gathered on the outfield to begin their own celebrations.
Savour the moment, boys. It's well deserved.
