Within a glass case on the upper level of the Melbourne Cricket Ground sits a vibrant pink suit donned by Robbie Williams. His show in front of a massive crowd of attendees was hailed as a major hit.
You might not appreciate Robbie Williams. Perhaps you believe he is the finest offering to music the world has ever seen. Alternatively, you may hold a balanced view, acknowledging that some songs are excellent while others are poor.
The central idea is that amusement can take many forms. Tastes vary. There is no universal formula to craft literature or even five-day cricket.
The Peerless Spectrum of The Long Game
The traditional format boasts incomparable variety. It's difficult to think of another sport where the outcome is so dictated by the environment.
The elements, the time of day, the red ball – the factors are countless. Most important is the pitch.
If Test cricket is a form of art, the strip is the foundation on which the players paint their masterpiece.
An Abstract Contest: The Melbourne Spectacle
The fourth Ashes Test between the two sides was an abstract version of cricket, the established format taken to pieces and reconstructed in an unusual manner.
This is not a endorsement of the wicket which resulted in a victory and the another sub-three-day finish of the Ashes battle.
Allowing a thick layer on the pitch, resulting in 36 wickets tumbling in less than six sessions, is not a balanced duel between bat and ball.
A Varied History: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be marked with an asterisk as illegitimate, is mistaken.
Test cricket is a diverse canvas, a long history and still growing. Sometimes, like in Melbourne, the ball does all sorts for the fast men. Other times, it grips and turns on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it explodes.
The thrillers are even more exciting owing to the time made during quieter periods.
Adaptation: The Real Challenge
Certain variables are accepted more easily than others.
The argument in during the match was that the contest was weighted unfairly towards the bowlers. That the best players were unable from demonstrating their skill.
Test cricket is about adapting to challenges – interpreting the wicket and adjusting accordingly. The two highest individual innings were made by acknowledged stars. One side committed more errors than the other, and thus lost.
Unbridled Joy: The Fan Perspective
Attempt to convince the fans who have suffered 18 winless matches that this wasn't compelling.
In one section of the MCG, countless fans made noise and chanted, producing a carnival vibe in a stronghold of national pride.
There was hope as the attack surged, advantage when batters scored quickly, and unconditional love when the victory was confirmed.
Polar Opposites: The Range of Test Matches
The MCG has a history with difficult wickets. Eight years ago, a game there featured a wicket with the character of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That match was a marathon, with limited drama and interminable tedium. This recent match and that previous match are diametrically opposed points of the scale – one is not more perfect, yet value can be found in them.
Deep into the series into the current series, it is the shortest games that will remain iconic in the history books.
"Far from being the end of the long game at all," said a veteran. "Spectators who have been fortunate to see these short time have been experienced some real entertainment. A unique show."
Baby Steps: Looking Ahead
In the lead-in to this match, the captain addressed the media like a man carrying the heavy burden on his back.
The team protected him, reinstating the smile to his face.
Different players delivered with key contributions. These are baby steps, certainly not enough to guarantee long-term stability, but a starting point to develop from.
Ultimately, this Melbourne victory is added to other memorable performances in dead rubbers.
As the fans slipped away into a beautiful night, the players congregated on the turf to begin their own enjoyment.
Celebrate the win, lads. It's well deserved.
