In a display cabinet on the upper level of the MCG rests a vibrant pink ensemble worn by the pop star. His performance in front of a massive crowd of attendees was seen as a major hit.
You might not enjoy Robbie Williams. Maybe you feel he is the ultimate present to music the world has ever seen. Alternatively, you may hold a middle ground, conceding that some songs are excellent while others are awful.
The point being is that enjoyment can manifest in countless ways. You like what you like. There is not a single method to produce art or even five-day cricket.
The Peerless Spectrum of Test Cricket
The traditional format boasts peerless complexity. It is hard to think of another sport where the playing is so reliant upon conditions.
The weather, the hour of play, the ball – the variables are numerous. Crucially is the wicket.
If Test cricket is an artistic pursuit, the pitch is the foundation on which the cricketers paint their masterpiece.
A Test of Cubism: The Melbourne Spectacle
The recent Melbourne match between the old rivals was Test cricket cubism, the great game taken to pieces and stuck back together in an unusual manner.
It must be stated this is not a defence of the wicket which yielded a victory and the second two-day Test of the series.
Allowing excessive grass on the pitch, leading to 36 wickets being taken in less than a brief period, is not an even battle between bat and ball.
A Diverse Legacy: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a lesser event, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is incorrect.
Test cricket is a rich tapestry, over two thousand matches and counting. At times, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball moves excessively for the seamers. In contrast, it spins sharply on a dust bowl. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.
The thrillers are particularly captivating because of the investment made elsewhere.
Adaptation: The Core Skill
Some factors are tolerated more easily than others.
The argument in Melbourne was that the contest was skewed excessively towards the bowlers. That the top batters were prevented from playing their natural game.
This level of cricket is about finding solutions – reading the situation and adapting effectively. The two highest individual innings were made by world-class stars. One team committed more errors than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Pure Elation: The Supporters' View
Attempt to convince the supporters who have experienced a long drought that this was not entertaining.
In one section of the MCG, countless fans waved their flags and sang their songs, fostering a party atmosphere in a stronghold of sport.
There was belief as the bowlers surged, advantage when batters scored quickly, and unconditional love when the victory was achieved.
Polar Opposites: The Range of Test Matches
The MCG has previous experience with controversial surfaces. In the past, a Test there featured a wicket with the character of a a damp squib.
That fixture was a grind, with limited drama and interminable tedium. The latest encounter and that previous match are extreme ends of the spectrum – one is not more ideal, yet value can be attached to both.
Deep into the series into the ongoing battle, it is the two-day matches that will remain iconic in the collective consciousness.
"This isn't the end of the format at all," commented a past champion. "Fans who have been privileged to see these 48 hours have been experienced some real entertainment. A unique show."
Baby Steps: Building for the Future
In the build-up to this Test, the leader spoke like a man carrying the heavy burden on his mind.
The squad protected him, reinstating the smile to his face.
Emerging talents stepped up with key contributions. These are incremental gains, not nearly enough to ensure long-term stability, but a foundation to use as a platform.
In the end, this MCG win joins other notable performances in meaningless games.
As the crowd departed into a glorious Melbourne evening, the team congregated on the turf to begin their own festivities.
Savour the moment, lads. It's well deserved.
