Displayed inside a glass case on the third floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium rests a neon pink suit donned by Robbie Williams. The show in front of a hundred thousand attendees was considered a major hit.
You might not like Robbie Williams. You might think he is the ultimate present to music known to man. Alternatively, you may hold a balanced view, conceding that some songs are excellent while others are terrible.
The key argument is that amusement can manifest in countless ways. You like what you like. There is no universal formula to create art or even the longest format.
The Unrivalled Depth of Test Cricket
Test cricket boasts unrivalled depth. One struggles to think of another sport where the playing is so dictated by conditions.
The climate, the session, the ball – the list is endless. Crucially is the playing surface.
If the format is art, the pitch is the blank slate on which the cricketers craft their legacy.
A Test of Cubism: The MCG Match
The Boxing Day fixture between Australia and England was an abstract version of cricket, the traditional sport dismantled and stuck back together in a bizarre shape.
Let's be clear, this isn't a endorsement of the wicket which produced a win and the another sub-three-day finish of the series.
Allowing 10mm of grass on the wicket, leading to numerous dismissals falling in less than six sessions, is not a fair contest between batter and bowler.
A Varied History: The Core of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a lesser event, one that should be marked with an asterisk as illegitimate, is mistaken.
The long game is a diverse canvas, over two thousand matches and ongoing. At times, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball behaves unpredictably for the fast men. Sometimes, it spins sharply on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it explodes.
The thrillers are even more exciting because of the time committed elsewhere.
Adaptation: The Core Skill
Specific conditions are accepted more readily than others.
The debate in during the match was that the equilibrium was tipped too far towards the fielding side. That the top batters were unable from showcasing their talents.
This level of cricket is about adapting to challenges – reading the situation and responding effectively. The top two individual scores were made by recognized batters. One line-up was less disciplined than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Pure Elation: The Supporters' View
Attempt to convince the fans who have suffered 18 winless matches that this wasn't compelling.
In one section of the ground, a sea of people celebrated and sang their songs, generating a carnival vibe in a stronghold of sport.
There was hope as the attack surged, impetus when players scored quickly, and pure joy when the victory was confirmed.
Polar Opposites: The Variety of Test Matches
The Melbourne has form with controversial surfaces. In the past, a Test there featured a wicket with the character of a a damp squib.
That match was a slog, with limited drama and slow play. The two-day game and that slow Test are polar opposites of the spectrum – both are not perfect, yet value can be attached to them.
Deep into the series into the Ashes contest, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the history books.
"Far from being the end of the format at all," observed a veteran. "Fans who have been privileged to see these 48 hours have been treated to some real entertainment. Different entertainment."
Small Victories: Building for the Future
In the build-up to this match, the leader spoke like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his mind.
The squad delivered for him, restoring the joy to his face.
New faces stepped up with key contributions. These are baby steps, hardly enough to guarantee long-term futures, but something to build on.
Ultimately, this Melbourne victory is added to other historic performances in meaningless games.
As the fans departed into a stunning sunset, the players gathered on the field to begin their own enjoyment.
Celebrate the win, boys. You've earned this one.
