In a display cabinet on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium is housed a electric pink ensemble worn by the entertainer. His concert in front of a hundred thousand attendees was hailed as a triumph.
Perhaps you don't enjoy Robbie Williams. Perhaps you believe he is the greatest gift to music the world has ever seen. Alternatively, you may hold a balanced view, acknowledging that some hits are excellent while others are terrible.
The central idea is that amusement can manifest in countless ways. Tastes vary. There is no one way to craft art or even the longest format.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Test Format
The traditional format boasts incomparable variety. It's difficult to think of another sport where the contest is so dependent on conditions.
The climate, the time of day, the ball – the list is endless. Crucially is the wicket.
If the long game is art, the strip is the blank slate on which the cricketers craft their legacy.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test
The Boxing Day fixture between Australia and England was the game deconstructed, the great game dismantled and stuck back together in a bizarre shape.
Let's be clear, this isn't a defence of the wicket which yielded a win and the another short match of the Ashes battle.
Leaving excessive grass on the pitch, causing 36 wickets tumbling in less than six sessions, is not an even battle between offense and defense.
A Rich Tapestry: The Core of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a inferior show, one that should be footnoted as illegitimate, is mistaken.
The long game is a varied portfolio, a long history and ongoing. Sometimes, as seen at the MCG, the cricket ball behaves unpredictably for the pace bowlers. Other times, it turns square on a dust bowl. At other venues, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it explodes.
The close matches are all the more thrilling due to the patience committed during quieter periods.
Adaptation: The Real Challenge
Specific conditions are accepted more freely than others.
The debate in during the match was that the balance was tipped too far towards the fielding side. That the top batters were hindered from showcasing their talents.
The format is about finding solutions – reading the wicket and responding appropriately. The top two individual innings were made by world-class batters. One side committed more errors than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Pure Elation: The Supporters' View
Try telling the supporters who have suffered a long drought that this lacked spectacle.
In one section of the ground, countless fans waved their flags and created an atmosphere, generating a party atmosphere in a heartland of national pride.
There was optimism as the attack dominated, impetus when players fought back, and unconditional love when the result was confirmed.
Extreme Ends: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The MCG has a history with difficult wickets. In the past, a game there featured a wicket with all the life of a a non-event.
That fixture was a grind, with limited drama and slow play. This recent match and that previous match are diametrically opposed points of the spectrum – one is not more perfect, yet significance can be found in both.
At this stage into the current series, it is the quick finishes that will remain iconic in the history books.
"It's not the demise of Test cricket at all," observed a past champion. "Fans who have been fortunate to see these 48 hours have been experienced some genuine drama. A unique show."
Signs of Progress: A Glimmer of Hope
In the lead-in to this Test, the leader spoke like a man carrying the heavy burden on his mind.
The players delivered for him, restoring the joy to his face.
Emerging talents stepped up with crucial roles. These are baby steps, not nearly enough to ensure long-term stability, but a starting point to use as a platform.
At the very least, this triumph takes its place among other historic performances in similar circumstances.
As the supporters slipped away into a beautiful night, the squad congregated on the outfield to commence their own celebrations.
Enjoy the drink, boys. It's well deserved.
