In a glass case on the elevated floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium is housed a neon pink ensemble performed in by the entertainer. His concert in front of a massive crowd of attendees was hailed as a triumph.
Perhaps you don't appreciate Robbie Williams. You might think he is the finest offering to music in history. Alternatively, you may hold a middle ground, admitting that some tracks are excellent while others are terrible.
The key argument is that enjoyment can manifest in countless ways. Tastes vary. There is no universal formula to produce music or even Test cricket.
The Peerless Spectrum of The Long Game
The traditional format boasts unrivalled depth. One struggles to think of another sport where the outcome is so reliant upon conditions.
The elements, the session, the cricket ball – the factors are countless. Crucially is the playing surface.
If the long game is a form of art, the strip is the foundation on which the cricketers paint their masterpiece.
A Test of Cubism: The MCG Match
The Boxing Day fixture between the old rivals was an abstract version of cricket, the great game dismantled and reassembled in an unusual manner.
Let's be clear, this isn't a endorsement of the surface which resulted in a victory and the another short match of the series.
Having 10mm of grass on the wicket, causing a cascade of wickets being taken in less than a brief period, is not an even battle between batter and bowler.
A Varied History: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a lesser event, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is wide of the mark.
Test cricket is a rich tapestry, over two thousand matches and still growing. At times, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball moves excessively for the fast men. In contrast, it turns square on a dust bowl. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it spits like a cobra.
The close matches are even more exciting because of the time made in other matches.
Adaptation: The Core Skill
Certain variables are embraced more readily than others.
The debate in during the match was that the contest was weighted unfairly towards the fielding side. That the skilled individuals were hindered from demonstrating their skill.
The format is about problem solving – interpreting the wicket and adjusting effectively. The two highest individual innings were made by recognized stars. One line-up was less disciplined than the other, and thus were defeated.
Unbridled Joy: The Fan Perspective
Attempt to convince the fans who have suffered 18 winless matches that this was not entertaining.
Among the crowd of the ground, countless fans waved their flags and created an atmosphere, generating a carnival vibe in a bastion of national pride.
There was belief as the attack dominated, impetus when batters scored quickly, and rapturous celebration when the victory was confirmed.
Extreme Ends: The Range of Test Matches
The venue has previous experience with difficult wickets. Previously, a match there featured a pitch with the character of a a non-event.
That match was a grind, with minimal action and endless boredom. The latest encounter and that drawn affair are extreme ends of the scale – one is not more perfect, yet value can be attached to each.
Four Tests into the Ashes contest, it is the quick finishes that will be most remembered in the history books.
"It's not the death of the long game at all," commented a former player. "The people who have been lucky enough to see these two days have been experienced some genuine drama. A unique show."
Small Victories: A Glimmer of Hope
In the lead-in to this Test, the leader addressed the media like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his back.
The team protected him, reinstating the joy to his countenance.
New faces delivered with crucial roles. These are baby steps, certainly not enough to ensure long-term stability, but a foundation to build on.
Ultimately, this MCG win joins other notable performances in meaningless games.
As the fans slipped away into a stunning sunset, the team assembled on the turf to begin their own celebrations.
Enjoy the drink, lads. It's well deserved.
