Within a glass case on the third floor of the MCG rests a vibrant pink ensemble donned by Robbie Williams. The show in front of a hundred thousand spectators was considered a major hit.
You might not enjoy the performer. Maybe you feel he is the ultimate present to music the world has ever seen. You might take a middle ground, admitting that some songs are belting while others are poor.
The point being is that enjoyment can manifest in countless ways. Preferences differ. There is no universal formula to create music or even the longest format.
The Unrivalled Depth of Test Cricket
The five-day game boasts incomparable variety. It's difficult to think of another sport where the playing is so dependent on conditions.
The elements, the session, the ball – the list is endless. Most important is the playing surface.
If the format is art, the pitch is the blank slate on which the athletes paint their masterpiece.
An Abstract Contest: The Melbourne Spectacle
The recent Melbourne match between Australia and England was an abstract version of cricket, the established format dismantled and stuck back together in a bizarre shape.
It must be stated this is not a endorsement of the pitch which yielded a win and the second two-day Test of the contest.
Having a thick layer on the pitch, resulting in numerous dismissals being taken in less than six sessions, is not an even battle between bat and ball.
A Rich Tapestry: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a inferior show, one that should be marked with an asterisk as not a proper Test, is incorrect.
The long game is a diverse canvas, 2,615 parts and ongoing. At times, like in Melbourne, the ball does all sorts for the pace bowlers. Other times, it turns square on a spinning track. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it spits like a cobra.
The close matches are particularly captivating because of the investment committed during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The True Test
Certain variables are embraced more readily than others.
The debate in at the MCG was that the balance was tipped too far towards the bowlers. That the top batters were prevented from showcasing their talents.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – interpreting the wicket and adapting accordingly. The two highest individual innings were made by acknowledged batters. One side committed more errors than the other, and thus lost.
Pure Elation: For Those Who Waited
Try telling the fans who have suffered years of defeat that this was not entertaining.
Among the crowd of the ground, countless fans celebrated and sang their songs, producing a festive mood in a stronghold of sport.
There was hope as the attack dominated, impetus when batters responded, and unconditional love when the result was secured.
Contrasting Examples: The Range of Test Matches
The venue has previous experience with controversial surfaces. In the past, a Test there featured a pitch with the character of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That contest was a grind, with few wickets and endless boredom. The latest encounter and that drawn affair are diametrically opposed points of the range – neither the standard, yet significance can be ascribed to them.
Deep into the series into the current series, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the memory.
"Far from being the end of Test cricket at all," commented a former player. "Fans who have been privileged to see these two days have been treated to some genuine drama. An unusual spectacle."
Small Victories: A Glimmer of Hope
In the lead-in to this match, the leader talked like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his back.
The team responded for him, bringing back the smile to his countenance.
Different players stepped up with key contributions. These are small positives, not nearly enough to guarantee long-term futures, but a foundation to use as a platform.
In the end, this MCG win joins other historic performances in dead rubbers.
As the supporters departed into a beautiful night, the team congregated on the outfield to start their own celebrations.
Enjoy the drink, boys. It's well deserved.
