In a showcase on the upper level of the MCG sits a neon pink suit donned by the entertainer. The performance in front of a massive crowd of spectators was seen as a major hit.
You might not like Robbie Williams. You might think he is the ultimate present to music known to man. Alternatively, you may hold a middle ground, acknowledging that some songs are belting while others are poor.
The key argument is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. You like what you like. There is not a single method to produce art or even five-day cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of Test Cricket
The traditional format boasts unrivalled depth. It's difficult to think of another sport where the contest is so dictated by conditions.
The climate, the time of day, the red ball – the list is endless. Crucially is the wicket.
If the format is art, the pitch is the foundation on which the athletes craft their legacy.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test
The recent Melbourne match between Australia and England was the game deconstructed, the great game broken apart and reassembled in an unusual manner.
This is not a endorsement of the pitch which resulted in a victory and the another short match of the contest.
Leaving excessive grass on the wicket, resulting in a cascade of wickets being taken in less than a brief period, is not a balanced duel between batter and bowler.
A Varied History: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is mistaken.
The long game is a rich tapestry, over two thousand matches and counting. On occasion, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball does all sorts for the seamers. Sometimes, it spins sharply on a dust bowl. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.
The exciting finishes are even more exciting owing to the patience devoted during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The Real Challenge
Certain variables are tolerated more readily than others.
The contention in at the MCG was that the balance was weighted unfairly towards the fielding side. That the top batters were hindered from playing their natural game.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – interpreting the wicket and responding accordingly. The top two individual innings were made by recognized players. One line-up was less disciplined than the other, and thus were defeated.
Sheer Celebration: For Those Who Waited
Attempt to convince the fans who have endured 18 winless matches that this lacked spectacle.
In a corner of the stadium, countless fans waved their flags and chanted, producing a party atmosphere in a stronghold of Australian cricket.
There was belief as the attack excelled, momentum when the top order scored quickly, and unconditional love when the victory was confirmed.
Contrasting Examples: The Range of Test Matches
The Melbourne has previous experience with controversial surfaces. Previously, a match there featured a wicket with the character of a a non-event.
That match was a slog, with few wickets and slow play. This recent match and that slow Test are diametrically opposed points of the spectrum – both are not perfect, yet value can be attached to them.
At this stage into the current series, it is the quick finishes that will be most remembered in the collective consciousness.
"Far from being the death of the format at all," observed a past champion. "Fans who have been lucky enough to see these two days have been given some real entertainment. Different entertainment."
Signs of Progress: A Glimmer of Hope
In the lead-in to this match, the captain talked like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his mind.
The squad protected him, restoring the joy to his countenance.
Emerging talents performed with key contributions. These are small positives, hardly enough to secure long-term stability, but a foundation to build on.
Ultimately, this triumph takes its place among other historic performances in similar circumstances.
As the supporters departed into a glorious Melbourne evening, the squad assembled on the turf to begin their own enjoyment.
Celebrate the win, men. This victory was hard-fought.
