Within a glass case on the third floor of the Melbourne Cricket Ground is housed a electric pink suit donned by the entertainer. His concert in front of a massive crowd of attendees was hailed as a major hit.
It's possible you appreciate Robbie Williams. You might think he is the greatest gift to music the world has ever seen. Alternatively, you may hold a middle ground, admitting that some songs are excellent while others are poor.
The key argument is that entertainment can be delivered diversely. Tastes vary. There is not a single method to create art or even Test cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Long Game
Test cricket boasts unrivalled depth. One struggles to think of another sport where the playing is so dictated by conditions.
The elements, the time of day, the ball – the factors are countless. Most important is the playing surface.
If Test cricket is an artistic pursuit, the pitch is the canvas on which the players craft their legacy.
A Test of Cubism: The Melbourne Spectacle
The fourth Ashes Test between the old rivals was the game deconstructed, the great game taken to pieces and reconstructed in an unusual manner.
Let's be clear, this isn't a endorsement of the wicket which resulted in a victory and the another sub-three-day finish of the Ashes battle.
Having a thick layer on the pitch, leading to 36 wickets falling in less than a brief period, is not a fair contest between bat and ball.
A Varied History: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a lesser event, one that should be footnoted as inauthentic, is mistaken.
Test cricket is a rich tapestry, a long history and ongoing. At times, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball behaves unpredictably for the seamers. Other times, it spins sharply on a dust bowl. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it spits like a cobra.
The close matches are even more exciting due to the time made during quieter periods.
Problem Solving: The Real Challenge
Specific conditions are tolerated more readily than others.
The debate in at the MCG was that the equilibrium was skewed excessively towards the bowlers. That the best players were unable from showcasing their talents.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – interpreting the conditions and adjusting effectively. The two highest individual contributions were made by world-class stars. One side was less disciplined than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Pure Elation: For Those Who Waited
Try telling the supporters who have suffered 18 winless matches that this wasn't compelling.
In one section of the stadium, thousands celebrated and chanted, generating a carnival vibe in a heartland of sport.
There was optimism as the bowlers excelled, momentum when batters scored quickly, and pure joy when the win was secured.
Extreme Ends: The Range of Test Matches
The Melbourne has a history with pitch problems. Eight years ago, a game there featured a pitch with the excitement of a a damp squib.
That contest was a slog, with few wickets and slow play. The two-day game and that previous match are diametrically opposed points of the spectrum – one is not more the standard, yet value can be ascribed to each.
Deep into the series into the ongoing battle, it is the two-day matches that will remain iconic in the memory.
"Far from being the demise of Test cricket at all," said a past champion. "Fans who have been privileged to see these 48 hours have been treated to some genuine drama. Different entertainment."
Signs of Progress: Building for the Future
In the lead-in to this match, the skipper addressed the media like a man carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
The players delivered for him, bringing back the joy to his face.
Different players performed with vital performances. These are baby steps, certainly not enough to secure long-term stability, but a starting point to use as a platform.
In the end, this triumph joins other notable performances in meaningless games.
As the supporters slipped away into a glorious Melbourne evening, the team congregated on the turf to commence their own enjoyment.
Enjoy the drink, men. This victory was hard-fought.
