Within a glass case on the upper level of the Melbourne Cricket Ground sits a electric pink ensemble performed in by Robbie Williams. His performance in front of a massive crowd of fans was seen as a major hit.
Perhaps you don't appreciate his music. You might think he is the ultimate present to music known to man. Or you could adopt a middle ground, admitting that some songs are belting while others are poor.
The key argument is that entertainment can be delivered diversely. You like what you like. There is no one way to create music or even the longest format.
The Unrivalled Depth of Test Cricket
Test cricket boasts incomparable variety. It is hard to think of another sport where the outcome is so dependent on conditions.
The elements, the time of day, the red ball – the variables are numerous. Most important is the wicket.
If the long game is an artistic pursuit, the pitch is the foundation on which the athletes create their art.
A Test of Cubism: The Melbourne Spectacle
The recent Melbourne match between the old rivals was the game deconstructed, the established format broken apart and reconstructed in an unusual manner.
It must be stated this is not a justification of the surface which resulted in a triumph and the another short match of the contest.
Having 10mm of grass on the wicket, causing numerous dismissals tumbling in less than two days, is not a balanced duel between bat and ball.
A Rich Tapestry: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be footnoted as illegitimate, is wide of the mark.
The long game is a rich tapestry, over two thousand matches and counting. Sometimes, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball moves excessively for the pace bowlers. In contrast, it spins sharply on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.
The thrillers are even more exciting because of the patience committed in other matches.
Problem Solving: The True Test
Some factors are tolerated more easily than others.
The contention in at the MCG was that the balance was weighted unfairly towards the bowlers. That the best players were unable from playing their natural game.
The format is about problem solving – assessing the conditions and adapting effectively. The top two individual scores were made by recognized batters. One team was less disciplined than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Sheer Celebration: The Supporters' View
Attempt to convince the devotees who have suffered years of defeat that this lacked spectacle.
In a corner of the stadium, a sea of people celebrated and created an atmosphere, generating a party atmosphere in a bastion of Australian cricket.
There was belief as the attack dominated, momentum when batters responded, and rapturous celebration when the result was secured.
Extreme Ends: The Variety of Test Matches
The MCG has a history with controversial surfaces. In the past, a match there featured a pitch with the character of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That fixture was a grind, with limited drama and interminable tedium. The latest encounter and that previous match are polar opposites of the spectrum – one is not more ideal, yet historical weight can be ascribed to them.
At this stage into the current series, it is the shortest games that will live longest in the memory.
"It's not the end of Test cricket at all," observed a past champion. "Fans who have been lucky enough to see these two days have been treated to some genuine drama. A unique show."
Signs of Progress: A Glimmer of Hope
In the build-up to this Test, the skipper addressed the media like a man carrying the weight of the world on his mind.
The team protected him, bringing back the joy to his countenance.
New faces delivered with key contributions. These are small positives, hardly enough to guarantee long-term success, but something to build on.
At the very least, this Melbourne victory takes its place among other memorable performances in dead rubbers.
As the fans left into a beautiful night, the squad gathered on the turf to commence their own festivities.
Enjoy the drink, men. This victory was hard-fought.