Within a glass case on the upper level of the Melbourne Cricket Ground rests a vibrant pink ensemble worn by the pop star. The concert in front of a hundred thousand attendees was considered a success.
You might not appreciate Robbie Williams. Perhaps you believe he is the ultimate present to music known to man. You might take a reasonable stance, admitting that some hits are excellent while others are awful.
The central idea is that amusement can take many forms. You like what you like. There is not a single method to produce art or even Test cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of The Long Game
The five-day game boasts incomparable variety. One struggles to think of another sport where the contest is so dependent on external factors.
The weather, the session, the cricket ball – the factors are countless. Crucially is the wicket.
If the format is a form of art, the wicket is the canvas on which the athletes craft their legacy.
An Abstract Contest: The MCG Match
The Boxing Day fixture between Australia and England was the game deconstructed, the established format dismantled and reconstructed in an unusual manner.
This is not a defence of the surface which yielded a victory and the another sub-three-day finish of the series.
Having 10mm of grass on the pitch, resulting in a cascade of wickets tumbling in less than two days, is not a balanced duel between batter and bowler.
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 inauthentic, is mistaken.
The long game is a rich tapestry, 2,615 parts and still growing. On occasion, as seen at the MCG, the cricket ball behaves unpredictably for the pace bowlers. Other times, it spins sharply on a dust bowl. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it explodes.
The thrillers are even more exciting because of the patience made during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The True Test
Specific conditions are tolerated more readily than others.
The contention in during the match was that the balance was tipped too far towards the fielding side. That the skilled individuals were unable from playing their natural game.
Test cricket is about problem solving – assessing the situation and adjusting accordingly. The two highest individual contributions were made by acknowledged batters. One line-up was less disciplined than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Sheer Celebration: For Those Who Waited
Try telling the devotees who have suffered a long drought that this was not entertaining.
Among the crowd of the stadium, countless fans made noise and sang their songs, fostering a carnival vibe in a stronghold of Australian cricket.
There was belief as the fielding side surged, advantage when the top order scored quickly, and unconditional love when the result was secured.
Extreme Ends: The Range of Test Matches
The Melbourne has previous experience with difficult wickets. Eight years ago, a Test there featured a wicket with the excitement of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That fixture was a grind, with limited drama and slow play. The latest encounter and that slow Test are extreme ends of the spectrum – neither ideal, yet historical weight can be attached to them.
At this stage into the ongoing battle, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the memory.
"It's not the death of Test cricket at all," said a veteran. "Spectators who have been lucky enough to see these short time have been treated to some genuine drama. Different entertainment."
Small Victories: Looking Ahead
In the lead-in to this Test, the leader talked like a man carrying the weight of the world on his back.
The squad protected him, reinstating the positive demeanor to his persona.
New faces performed with vital performances. These are baby steps, hardly enough to ensure long-term stability, but a starting point to use as a platform.
Ultimately, this triumph is added to other memorable performances in dead rubbers.
As the fans departed into a beautiful night, the squad assembled on the outfield to commence their own enjoyment.
Savour the moment, lads. It's well deserved.
