In a glass case on the third floor of the Melbourne Cricket Ground rests a electric pink suit donned by Robbie Williams. His show in front of a massive crowd of attendees was considered a major hit.
You might not enjoy the performer. You might think he is the finest offering to music in history. Or you could adopt a reasonable stance, conceding that some hits are belting while others are awful.
The point being is that enjoyment can be delivered diversely. Preferences differ. There is no one way to create art or even Test cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of The Long Game
The five-day game boasts unrivalled depth. One struggles to think of another sport where the outcome is so dictated by conditions.
The climate, the hour of play, the ball – the factors are countless. Most important is the playing surface.
If the long game is an artistic pursuit, the strip is the foundation on which the cricketers create their art.
A Broken-Down Battle: The MCG Match
The fourth Ashes Test between the old rivals was Test cricket cubism, the established format dismantled and stuck back together in an unusual manner.
This is not a defence of the surface which produced a triumph and the second two-day Test of the contest.
Having a thick layer on the pitch, resulting in numerous dismissals being taken in less than six sessions, is not a balanced duel between bat and ball.
A Diverse Legacy: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be qualified as not a proper Test, is incorrect.
Test cricket is a varied portfolio, 2,615 parts and ongoing. Sometimes, as seen at the MCG, the cricket ball moves excessively for the pace bowlers. In contrast, it turns square on a dust bowl. At other venues, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it bounces unevenly.
The close matches are particularly captivating because of the patience committed elsewhere.
Adjustment: The Core Skill
Certain variables are embraced more freely than others.
The contention in during the match was that the equilibrium was weighted unfairly towards the bowlers. That the top batters were prevented from playing their natural game.
The format is about problem solving – interpreting the wicket and adapting effectively. The top two individual contributions were made by world-class batters. One side made more mistakes than the other, and thus were defeated.
Unbridled Joy: The Fan Perspective
Go and inform the supporters who have endured years of defeat that this wasn't compelling.
In one section of the MCG, a sea of people celebrated and created an atmosphere, fostering a party atmosphere in a bastion of sport.
There was belief as the bowlers surged, impetus when the top order responded, and rapturous celebration when the result was secured.
Contrasting Examples: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The MCG has a history with controversial surfaces. Eight years ago, a match there featured a pitch with the character of a a damp squib.
That fixture was a marathon, with limited drama and slow play. The latest encounter and that previous match are polar opposites of the range – one is not more perfect, yet value can be found in each.
Deep into the series into the ongoing battle, it is the shortest games that will remain iconic in the history books.
"This isn't the demise of Test cricket at all," observed a former player. "Fans who have been fortunate to see these 48 hours have been experienced some genuine drama. An unusual spectacle."
Small Victories: A Glimmer of Hope
In the lead-in to this Test, the skipper spoke like a man carrying the weight of the world on his mind.
The squad responded for him, bringing back the smile to his countenance.
New faces stepped up with crucial roles. These are baby steps, not nearly enough to ensure long-term futures, but a foundation to develop from.
In the end, this Melbourne victory takes its place among other memorable performances in dead rubbers.
As the fans slipped away into a beautiful night, the players gathered on the outfield to begin their own enjoyment.
Enjoy the drink, boys. This victory was hard-fought.
