Within a glass case on the third floor of the Melbourne Cricket Ground sits a vibrant pink suit performed in by Robbie Williams. The performance in front of a massive crowd of attendees was hailed as a triumph.
Perhaps you don't like Robbie Williams. You might think he is the greatest gift to music the world has ever seen. You might take a middle ground, acknowledging that some tracks are fantastic while others are awful.
The key argument is that amusement can be delivered diversely. Preferences differ. There is no universal formula to produce music or even five-day cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Long Game
The five-day game boasts unrivalled depth. One struggles to think of another sport where the contest is so reliant upon external factors.
The climate, the hour of play, the ball – the factors are countless. Above all is the playing surface.
If the format is art, the strip is the canvas on which the players create their art.
A Test of Cubism: The Melbourne Spectacle
The recent Melbourne match between Australia and England was an abstract version of cricket, the traditional sport dismantled and stuck back together in abstract form.
It must be stated this is not a defence of the surface which resulted in a triumph and the another short match of the contest.
Having excessive grass on the surface, causing numerous dismissals being taken in less than two days, is not a balanced duel between offense and defense.
A Rich Tapestry: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is incorrect.
Test cricket is a diverse canvas, a long history and still growing. At times, as seen at the MCG, the cricket ball moves excessively for the fast men. In contrast, it spins sharply on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it explodes.
The close matches are particularly captivating because of the patience devoted in other matches.
Adaptation: The True Test
Some factors are accepted more easily than others.
The contention in during the match was that the contest was tipped too far towards the fielding side. That the top batters were unable from demonstrating their skill.
The format is about finding solutions – assessing the conditions and responding accordingly. The top two individual contributions were made by recognized stars. One team was less disciplined than the other, and thus lost.
Unbridled Joy: The Supporters' View
Go and inform the devotees who have endured years of defeat that this was not entertaining.
In a corner of the stadium, thousands celebrated and sang their songs, producing a carnival vibe in a heartland of Australian cricket.
There was belief as the fielding side excelled, advantage when batters responded, and pure joy when the victory was confirmed.
Polar Opposites: The Variety of Test Matches
The venue has a history with pitch problems. In the past, a Test there featured a strip with the excitement of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That match was a slog, with limited drama and interminable tedium. The latest encounter and that previous match are polar opposites of the spectrum – one is not more perfect, yet significance can be found in each.
At this stage into the Ashes contest, it is the shortest games that will remain iconic in the collective consciousness.
"It's not the death of the long game at all," said a former player. "Spectators who have been lucky enough to see these short time have been treated to some real entertainment. Different entertainment."
Signs of Progress: Looking Ahead
In the build-up to this Test, the captain addressed the media like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his mind.
The team protected him, reinstating the positive demeanor to his face.
Emerging talents delivered with key contributions. These are incremental gains, certainly not enough to secure long-term stability, but a starting point to build on.
At the very least, this MCG win is added to other memorable performances in meaningless games.
As the supporters departed into a glorious Melbourne evening, the players assembled on the field to commence their own festivities.
Savour the moment, men. You've earned this one.
