Displayed inside a showcase on the third floor of the MCG rests a electric pink suit donned by the entertainer. The performance in front of a hundred thousand attendees was hailed as a major hit.
You might not enjoy Robbie Williams. You might think he is the greatest gift to music known to man. Or you could adopt a middle ground, conceding that some tracks are fantastic while others are awful.
The central idea is that amusement can take many forms. Tastes vary. There is no universal formula to produce art or even the longest format.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Test Format
The five-day game boasts peerless complexity. It is hard to think of another sport where the contest is so dependent on conditions.
The climate, the hour of play, the ball – the variables are numerous. Above all is the wicket.
If the long game is art, the pitch is the foundation on which the cricketers craft their legacy.
An Abstract Contest: The MCG Match
The recent Melbourne match between the old rivals was the game deconstructed, the great game dismantled and reconstructed in an unusual manner.
It must be stated this is not a defence of the pitch which produced a win and the another short match of the series.
Leaving excessive grass on the surface, resulting in numerous dismissals being taken in less than two days, is not an even battle between offense and defense.
A Diverse Legacy: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is incorrect.
The long game is a rich tapestry, 2,615 parts and ongoing. Sometimes, as seen at the MCG, the cricket ball does all sorts for the fast men. In contrast, it turns square on a dust bowl. At other venues, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it spits like a cobra.
The close matches are all the more thrilling due to the patience committed elsewhere.
Adaptation: The Real Challenge
Specific conditions are embraced more easily than others.
The debate in at the MCG was that the equilibrium was weighted unfairly towards the bowlers. That the top batters were hindered from demonstrating their skill.
This level of cricket is about adapting to challenges – reading the situation and adjusting accordingly. The two highest individual scores were made by recognized stars. One team was less disciplined than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Unbridled Joy: The Supporters' View
Attempt to convince the devotees who have suffered a long drought that this wasn't compelling.
In a corner of the MCG, countless fans waved their flags and chanted, producing a carnival vibe in a stronghold of sport.
There was optimism as the attack excelled, momentum when batters responded, and pure joy when the victory was secured.
Contrasting Examples: The Range of Test Matches
The MCG has a history with controversial surfaces. Previously, a match there featured a wicket with the character of a a non-event.
That contest was a marathon, with minimal action and endless boredom. The latest encounter and that slow Test are extreme ends of the range – one is not more ideal, yet value can be ascribed to both.
Deep into the series into the ongoing battle, it is the shortest games that will live longest in the collective consciousness.
"It's not the death of the format at all," said a former player. "Fans who have been fortunate to see these 48 hours have been treated to some fantastic sport. An unusual spectacle."
Small Victories: A Glimmer of Hope
In the preparation to this Test, the leader spoke like a man carrying the heavy burden on his shoulders.
The squad protected him, reinstating the smile to his persona.
New faces stepped up with crucial roles. These are small positives, hardly enough to secure long-term futures, but a foundation to build on.
Ultimately, this Melbourne victory is added to other notable performances in meaningless games.
As the supporters left into a beautiful night, the team assembled on the field to commence their own enjoyment.
Savour the moment, lads. You've earned this one.
