In a glass case on the upper level of the Melbourne Cricket Ground rests a neon pink suit worn by Robbie Williams. His concert in front of 100,024 fans was hailed as a triumph.
You might not appreciate Robbie Williams. You might think he is the ultimate present to music the world has ever seen. Or you could adopt a balanced view, admitting that some songs are fantastic while others are terrible.
The point being is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. Tastes vary. There is no universal formula to create art or even five-day cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of Test Cricket
Test cricket boasts peerless complexity. One struggles to think of another sport where the outcome is so dependent on the environment.
The elements, the hour of play, the ball – the factors are countless. Above all is the wicket.
If Test cricket is an artistic pursuit, the strip is the blank slate on which the players paint their masterpiece.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test
The Boxing Day fixture between the two sides was Test cricket cubism, the traditional sport taken to pieces and stuck back together in an unusual manner.
Let's be clear, this isn't a defence of the pitch which resulted in a victory and the another sub-three-day finish of the contest.
Having a thick layer on the pitch, resulting in a cascade of wickets tumbling in less than six sessions, is not a balanced duel between batter and bowler.
A Rich Tapestry: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be marked with an asterisk as not a proper Test, is wide of the mark.
The long game is a diverse canvas, over two thousand matches and ongoing. At times, as seen at the MCG, the cricket ball does all sorts for the fast men. Other times, it spins sharply on a dust bowl. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it spits like a cobra.
The thrillers are all the more thrilling due to the time devoted during quieter periods.
Adaptation: The Core Skill
Some factors are accepted more readily than others.
The contention in during the match was that the contest was tipped too far towards the fielding side. That the skilled individuals were hindered from showcasing their talents.
The format is about problem solving – reading the conditions and responding effectively. The best individual innings were made by acknowledged stars. One side committed more errors than the other, and thus were defeated.
Sheer Celebration: The Fan Perspective
Attempt to convince the fans who have suffered a long drought that this lacked spectacle.
Among the crowd of the stadium, thousands celebrated and created an atmosphere, producing a carnival vibe in a bastion of national pride.
There was belief as the fielding side dominated, impetus when players responded, and rapturous celebration when the result was secured.
Polar Opposites: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The venue has form with pitch problems. In the past, a game there featured a strip with the excitement of a a non-event.
That contest was a grind, with limited drama and slow play. The latest encounter and that slow Test are diametrically opposed points of the range – one is not more ideal, yet value can be attached to both.
At this stage into the current series, it is the two-day matches that will remain iconic in the memory.
"This isn't the end of Test cricket at all," commented a veteran. "The people who have been lucky enough to see these two days have been given some fantastic sport. A unique show."
Signs of Progress: Looking Ahead
In the build-up to this Test, the leader addressed the media like a man carrying the heavy burden on his mind.
The squad protected him, bringing back the positive demeanor to his countenance.
Emerging talents stepped up with crucial roles. These are baby steps, not nearly enough to ensure long-term success, but a foundation to develop from.
Ultimately, this Melbourne victory is added to other historic performances in dead rubbers.
As the supporters departed into a glorious Melbourne evening, the team congregated on the turf to commence their own enjoyment.
Celebrate the win, men. This victory was hard-fought.
