Displayed inside a showcase on the third floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium rests a vibrant pink ensemble worn by the entertainer. His performance in front of a massive crowd of spectators was considered a success.
You might not like Robbie Williams. Maybe you feel he is the ultimate present to music the world has ever seen. You might take a balanced view, acknowledging that some tracks are excellent while others are poor.
The key argument is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. Tastes vary. There is no universal formula to produce art or even five-day cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of Test Cricket
The traditional format boasts unrivalled depth. One struggles to think of another sport where the playing is so reliant upon conditions.
The climate, the time of day, the cricket ball – the variables are numerous. Most important is the playing surface.
If the long game is an artistic pursuit, the wicket is the blank slate on which the players craft their legacy.
An Abstract Contest: The MCG Match
The recent Melbourne match between the old rivals was Test cricket cubism, the established format broken apart and reconstructed in a bizarre shape.
It must be stated this is not a defence of the surface which yielded a victory and the another short match of the contest.
Having a thick layer on the pitch, causing a cascade of wickets tumbling in less than a brief period, is not a fair contest between bat and ball.
A Diverse Legacy: The Core of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a lesser event, 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 counting. On occasion, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball moves excessively for the seamers. Sometimes, it grips and turns on a spinning track. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.
The thrillers are even more exciting owing to the patience made in other matches.
Problem Solving: The True Test
Certain variables are accepted more easily than others.
The argument in Melbourne was that the contest was weighted unfairly towards the bowlers. That the best players were hindered from showcasing their talents.
The format is about finding solutions – interpreting the situation and adapting accordingly. The two highest individual contributions were made by acknowledged batters. One side made more mistakes than the other, and thus were defeated.
Pure Elation: The Supporters' View
Attempt to convince the devotees who have suffered years of defeat that this lacked spectacle.
Among the crowd of the stadium, a sea of people waved their flags and chanted, generating a carnival vibe in a bastion of national pride.
There was hope as the fielding side surged, impetus when batters scored quickly, and unconditional love when the victory was confirmed.
Contrasting Examples: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The Melbourne has form with difficult wickets. Eight years ago, a game there featured a pitch with all the life of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That match was a marathon, with few wickets and slow play. The latest encounter and that drawn affair are polar opposites of the range – both are not the standard, yet value can be found in each.
Deep into the series into the ongoing battle, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the history books.
"This isn't the end of Test cricket at all," said a past champion. "Fans who have been fortunate to see these short time have been treated to some real entertainment. Different entertainment."
Baby Steps: Building for the Future
In the preparation to this Test, the skipper spoke like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his back.
The players protected him, restoring the smile to his persona.
Different players delivered with vital performances. These are incremental gains, not nearly enough to guarantee long-term stability, but a starting point to build on.
At the very least, this Melbourne victory takes its place among other memorable performances in meaningless games.
As the crowd departed into a glorious Melbourne evening, the team assembled on the outfield to begin their own festivities.
Savour the moment, lads. You've earned this one.
