In a glass case on the elevated floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium rests a electric pink suit worn by the pop star. The concert in front of a hundred thousand spectators was seen as a success.
It's possible you like Robbie Williams. You might think he is the greatest gift to music in history. Or you could adopt a reasonable stance, admitting that some hits are fantastic while others are terrible.
The point being is that amusement can be delivered diversely. Tastes vary. There is no one way to create music or even Test cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Long Game
The five-day game boasts incomparable variety. One struggles to think of another sport where the playing is so dictated by external factors.
The climate, the session, the ball – the variables are numerous. Crucially is the wicket.
If the format is art, the wicket is the foundation on which the cricketers craft their legacy.
An Abstract Contest: The MCG Match
The recent Melbourne match between the old rivals was Test cricket cubism, the traditional sport broken apart and stuck back together in abstract form.
It must be stated this is not a justification of the pitch which resulted in a triumph and the another sub-three-day finish of the contest.
Allowing excessive grass on the surface, leading to 36 wickets falling in less than two days, is not a balanced duel between offense and defense.
A Varied History: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be marked with an asterisk as illegitimate, is incorrect.
Test cricket is a varied portfolio, over two thousand matches and counting. On occasion, like in Melbourne, the ball moves excessively for the seamers. In contrast, it spins sharply on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is dead, other times it spits like a cobra.
The exciting finishes are particularly captivating because of the time made elsewhere.
Adaptation: The Core Skill
Some factors are embraced more freely than others.
The argument in during the match was that the contest was weighted unfairly towards the fielding side. That the skilled individuals were prevented from showcasing their talents.
Test cricket is about problem solving – interpreting the situation and responding appropriately. The best individual innings were made by acknowledged stars. One side made more mistakes than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Unbridled Joy: For Those Who Waited
Try telling the supporters who have experienced 18 winless matches that this lacked spectacle.
In a corner of the MCG, countless fans waved their flags and sang their songs, producing a festive mood in a bastion of sport.
There was optimism as the bowlers excelled, impetus when players scored quickly, and unconditional love when the win was achieved.
Polar Opposites: The Range of Test Matches
The Melbourne has a history with difficult wickets. Previously, a Test there featured a wicket with all the life of a a damp squib.
That contest was a marathon, with few wickets and endless boredom. The two-day game and that previous match are extreme ends of the range – neither ideal, yet value can be attached to them.
Deep into the series into the ongoing battle, it is the shortest games that will live longest in the memory.
"This isn't the death of the long game at all," commented a past champion. "Fans who have been fortunate to see these 48 hours have been treated to some genuine drama. Different entertainment."
Signs of Progress: Building for the Future
In the lead-in to this Test, the leader talked like a man carrying the heavy burden on his back.
The squad delivered for him, restoring the joy to his countenance.
New faces delivered with crucial roles. These are small positives, certainly not enough to guarantee long-term futures, but a foundation to use as a platform.
Ultimately, this MCG win is added to other memorable performances in meaningless games.
As the fans slipped away into a glorious Melbourne evening, the players gathered on the turf to commence their own celebrations.
Enjoy the drink, men. It's well deserved.
