Displayed inside a showcase on the elevated floor of the Melbourne Cricket Ground rests a vibrant pink ensemble worn by Robbie Williams. The performance in front of 100,024 spectators was considered a major hit.
Perhaps you don't like Robbie Williams. You might think he is the ultimate present to music the world has ever seen. Or you could adopt a reasonable stance, admitting that some tracks are excellent while others are poor.
The central idea is that amusement can be delivered diversely. You like what you like. There is no universal formula to produce art or even five-day cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of Test Cricket
The traditional format boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the outcome is so reliant upon external factors.
The weather, the session, the ball – the list is endless. Crucially is the pitch.
If the format is an artistic pursuit, the pitch is the foundation on which the athletes create their art.
A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test
The Boxing Day fixture between Australia and England was an abstract version of cricket, the established format dismantled and reconstructed in a bizarre shape.
This is not a defence of the wicket which resulted in a triumph and the another short match of the series.
Having a thick layer on the wicket, leading to a cascade of wickets being taken in less than two days, is not a balanced duel between bat and ball.
A Varied History: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be marked with an asterisk as inauthentic, is incorrect.
Test cricket is a rich tapestry, a long history and ongoing. On occasion, as seen at the MCG, the cricket ball does all sorts for the pace bowlers. Other times, it turns square on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it spits like a cobra.
The exciting finishes are even more exciting because of the patience devoted elsewhere.
Adaptation: The Core Skill
Certain variables are embraced more easily than others.
The contention in during the match was that the equilibrium was weighted unfairly towards the attack. That the top batters were unable from showcasing their talents.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – assessing the conditions and adjusting accordingly. The best individual innings were made by recognized batters. One side made more mistakes than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Pure Elation: The Fan Perspective
Attempt to convince the devotees who have endured a long drought that this wasn't compelling.
In one section of the stadium, countless fans made noise and sang their songs, producing a festive mood in a stronghold of Australian cricket.
There was hope as the bowlers excelled, momentum when batters scored quickly, and rapturous celebration when the victory was secured.
Extreme Ends: The Range of Test Matches
The Melbourne has previous experience with controversial surfaces. Eight years ago, a game there featured a wicket with the character of a a damp squib.
That contest was a marathon, with limited drama and interminable tedium. This recent match and that previous match are diametrically opposed points of the spectrum – both are not the standard, yet value can be found in each.
At this stage into the current series, it is the quick finishes that will remain iconic in the memory.
"This isn't the death of Test cricket at all," observed a veteran. "Fans who have been lucky enough to see these 48 hours have been experienced some genuine drama. An unusual spectacle."
Baby Steps: A Glimmer of Hope
In the preparation to this match, the skipper talked like a man carrying the heavy burden on his shoulders.
The squad responded for him, restoring the positive demeanor to his face.
Emerging talents stepped up with crucial roles. These are incremental gains, not nearly enough to ensure long-term futures, but a foundation to build on.
Ultimately, this MCG win takes its place among other historic performances in meaningless games.
As the fans slipped away into a stunning sunset, the squad congregated on the turf to start their own celebrations.
Savour the moment, boys. You've earned this one.
