Within a glass case on the third floor of the Melbourne Cricket Ground sits a vibrant pink ensemble performed in by Robbie Williams. The show in front of 100,024 attendees was considered a success.
You might not appreciate the performer. Maybe you feel he is the greatest gift to music known to man. You might take a middle ground, conceding that some tracks are excellent while others are poor.
The central idea is that enjoyment can take many forms. Preferences differ. There is not a single method to craft music or even the longest format.
The Unrivalled Depth of Test Cricket
Test cricket boasts incomparable variety. It's difficult to think of another sport where the playing is so dependent on external factors.
The climate, the session, the red ball – the variables are numerous. Above all is the wicket.
If Test cricket is a form of art, the wicket is the canvas on which the athletes create their art.
A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test
The recent Melbourne match between the old rivals was the game deconstructed, the traditional sport taken to pieces and stuck back together in a bizarre shape.
It must be stated this is not a justification of the wicket which yielded a triumph and the second two-day Test of the Ashes battle.
Leaving excessive grass on the surface, causing 36 wickets tumbling in less than two days, is not a balanced duel between batter and bowler.
A Diverse Legacy: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be marked with an asterisk as not a proper Test, is wide of the mark.
The format is a varied portfolio, 2,615 parts and counting. On occasion, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball moves excessively for the fast men. Sometimes, it spins sharply on a spinning track. Sometimes, the pitch is dead, other times it explodes.
The exciting finishes are particularly captivating because of the investment devoted during quieter periods.
Problem Solving: The Real Challenge
Certain variables are tolerated more easily than others.
The contention in during the match was that the balance was tipped too far towards the bowlers. That the top batters were unable from showcasing their talents.
The format is about adapting to challenges – interpreting the wicket and adjusting appropriately. The two highest individual scores were made by recognized players. One team made more mistakes than the other, and thus lost.
Pure Elation: For Those Who Waited
Go and inform the devotees who have endured years of defeat that this wasn't compelling.
In a corner of the stadium, thousands made noise and chanted, fostering a carnival vibe in a bastion of national pride.
There was hope as the attack excelled, impetus when players fought back, and unconditional love when the victory was achieved.
Contrasting Examples: The Variety of Test Matches
The MCG has previous experience with controversial surfaces. Previously, a game there featured a wicket with all the life of a a damp squib.
That match was a grind, with limited drama and interminable tedium. This recent match and that drawn affair are extreme ends of the spectrum – neither the standard, yet value can be found in them.
Four Tests into the ongoing battle, it is the two-day matches that will live longest in the collective consciousness.
"This isn't the end of Test cricket at all," said a past champion. "Fans who have been fortunate to see these short time have been treated to some genuine drama. Different entertainment."
Signs of Progress: Looking Ahead
In the build-up to this match, the captain spoke like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his back.
The team delivered for him, bringing back the smile to his countenance.
New faces delivered with key contributions. These are baby steps, certainly not enough to secure long-term success, but a foundation to use as a platform.
Ultimately, this Melbourne victory takes its place among other notable performances in dead rubbers.
As the fans left into a glorious Melbourne evening, the team gathered on the turf to begin their own festivities.
Savour the moment, men. You've earned this one.
