Within a showcase on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium is housed a vibrant pink suit performed in by the pop star. The show in front of a massive crowd of spectators was seen as a triumph.
It's possible you like Robbie Williams. Perhaps you believe he is the ultimate present to music the world has ever seen. Or you could adopt a middle ground, admitting that some tracks are belting while others are poor.
The central idea is that enjoyment can be delivered diversely. Preferences differ. There is not a single method to craft art or even Test cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Test Format
The traditional format boasts unrivalled depth. One struggles to think of another sport where the contest is so dependent on conditions.
The climate, the time of day, the cricket ball – the variables are numerous. Crucially is the pitch.
If the format is art, the pitch is the foundation on which the players create their art.
A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test
The Boxing Day fixture between Australia and England was an abstract version of cricket, the established format taken to pieces and reassembled in a bizarre shape.
Let's be clear, this isn't a defence of the pitch which resulted in a win and the another short match of the Ashes battle.
Having 10mm of grass on the wicket, leading to numerous dismissals tumbling in less than six sessions, is not a balanced duel between batter and bowler.
A Varied History: The Core of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a lesser event, one that should be footnoted as illegitimate, is mistaken.
The format is a diverse canvas, 2,615 parts and counting. At times, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball does all sorts for the seamers. In contrast, it grips and turns on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it explodes.
The close matches are particularly captivating owing to the investment devoted elsewhere.
Adaptation: The True Test
Certain variables are embraced more readily than others.
The argument in at the MCG was that the equilibrium was skewed excessively towards the attack. That the best players were unable from demonstrating their skill.
The format is about adapting to challenges – assessing the situation and responding accordingly. The two highest individual innings were made by acknowledged players. One team committed more errors than the other, and thus were defeated.
Sheer Celebration: For Those Who Waited
Attempt to convince the devotees who have suffered 18 winless matches that this was not entertaining.
In a corner of the MCG, thousands waved their flags and sang their songs, producing a festive mood in a stronghold of Australian cricket.
There was optimism as the fielding side dominated, impetus when players scored quickly, and rapturous celebration when the win was secured.
Contrasting Examples: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The MCG has a history with pitch problems. Eight years ago, a Test there featured a strip with the excitement of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That match was a grind, with few wickets and endless boredom. This recent match and that drawn affair are extreme ends of the scale – both are not perfect, yet significance can be found in each.
Four Tests into the Ashes contest, it is the two-day matches that will remain iconic in the collective consciousness.
"This isn't the demise of the format at all," observed a veteran. "Spectators who have been fortunate to see these two days have been experienced some real entertainment. A unique show."
Small Victories: Looking Ahead
In the build-up to this Test, the skipper addressed the media like a man carrying the weight of the world on his mind.
The players protected him, restoring the positive demeanor to his face.
Emerging talents performed with key contributions. These are baby steps, hardly enough to guarantee long-term futures, but a foundation to build on.
Ultimately, this Melbourne victory takes its place among other memorable performances in similar circumstances.
As the fans slipped away into a beautiful night, the team assembled on the outfield to commence their own celebrations.
Savour the moment, lads. It's well deserved.
