In a display cabinet on the third floor of the MCG rests a vibrant pink ensemble worn by Robbie Williams. The performance in front of a hundred thousand spectators was seen as a major hit.
You might not appreciate the performer. You might think he is the greatest gift to music in history. Or you could adopt a middle ground, acknowledging that some songs are excellent while others are awful.
The key argument is that enjoyment can take many forms. Preferences differ. There is not a single method to create art or even Test cricket.
The Peerless Spectrum of Test Cricket
The traditional format boasts peerless complexity. One struggles to think of another sport where the playing is so dependent on external factors.
The weather, the session, the ball – the variables are numerous. Most important is the wicket.
If the format is art, the strip is the canvas on which the players craft their legacy.
An Abstract Contest: The MCG Match
The Boxing Day fixture between the old rivals was an abstract version of cricket, the traditional sport dismantled and reassembled in an unusual manner.
It must be stated this is not a endorsement of the surface which resulted in a win and the second two-day Test of the contest.
Having excessive grass on the pitch, causing a cascade of wickets being taken in less than two days, is not a fair contest between bat and ball.
A Diverse Legacy: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be marked with an asterisk as illegitimate, is mistaken.
The long game is a rich tapestry, over two thousand matches and ongoing. On occasion, like in Melbourne, the ball moves excessively for the fast men. Other times, it spins sharply on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is dead, other times it bounces unevenly.
The exciting finishes are all the more thrilling because of the time committed elsewhere.
Adaptation: The True Test
Some factors are tolerated more readily than others.
The contention in Melbourne was that the equilibrium was tipped too far towards the attack. That the top batters were unable from playing their natural game.
This level of cricket is about adapting to challenges – interpreting the wicket and responding accordingly. The two highest individual scores were made by recognized stars. One side committed more errors than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Sheer Celebration: The Fan Perspective
Go and inform the fans who have suffered 18 winless matches that this lacked spectacle.
In one section of the stadium, thousands waved their flags and sang their songs, producing a carnival vibe in a stronghold of national pride.
There was optimism as the attack surged, impetus when players fought back, and rapturous celebration when the win was secured.
Extreme Ends: The Range of Test Matches
The venue has form with difficult wickets. Previously, a game there featured a pitch with the excitement of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That fixture was a grind, with limited drama and endless boredom. This recent match and that previous match are diametrically opposed points of the scale – neither ideal, yet value can be found in each.
At this stage into the ongoing battle, it is the shortest games that will remain iconic in the collective consciousness.
"Far from being the end of the format at all," commented a past champion. "The people who have been fortunate to see these short time have been experienced some real entertainment. Different entertainment."
Baby Steps: A Glimmer of Hope
In the lead-in to this Test, the captain spoke like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his mind.
The team protected him, bringing back the positive demeanor to his persona.
Emerging talents performed with vital performances. These are baby steps, certainly not enough to ensure long-term success, but a foundation to use as a platform.
Ultimately, this triumph joins other historic performances in similar circumstances.
As the supporters departed into a beautiful night, the team assembled on the turf to begin their own festivities.
Enjoy the drink, boys. It's well deserved.
