In a glass case on the elevated floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium rests a vibrant pink suit worn by Robbie Williams. His concert in front of a hundred thousand spectators was considered a success.
It's possible you appreciate Robbie Williams. Perhaps you believe he is the finest offering to music known to man. Or you could adopt a balanced view, admitting that some songs are fantastic while others are terrible.
The point being is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. Tastes vary. There is no universal formula to create art or even the longest format.
The Peerless Spectrum of Test Cricket
The five-day game boasts unrivalled depth. One struggles to think of another sport where the playing is so dependent on conditions.
The climate, the time of day, the cricket ball – the factors are countless. Most important is the playing surface.
If the format is a form of art, the strip is the blank slate on which the cricketers paint their masterpiece.
A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test
The fourth Ashes Test between the old rivals was Test cricket cubism, the traditional sport taken to pieces and stuck back together in a bizarre shape.
This is not a justification of the pitch which produced a win and the another short match of the series.
Leaving excessive grass on the pitch, resulting in 36 wickets falling in less than six sessions, is not a balanced duel between offense and defense.
A Rich Tapestry: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a lesser event, one that should be qualified as illegitimate, is wide of the mark.
The long game is a rich tapestry, 2,615 parts and ongoing. Sometimes, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball moves excessively for the pace bowlers. Other times, it spins sharply on a dust bowl. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it spits like a cobra.
The close matches are particularly captivating because of the patience made during quieter periods.
Problem Solving: The True Test
Specific conditions are embraced more readily than others.
The argument in at the MCG was that the contest was skewed excessively towards the attack. That the skilled individuals were hindered from playing their natural game.
Test cricket is about finding solutions – assessing the wicket and responding accordingly. The top two individual scores were made by acknowledged batters. One line-up was less disciplined than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Sheer Celebration: For Those Who Waited
Go and inform the supporters who have endured a long drought that this was not entertaining.
In a corner of the stadium, countless fans made noise and sang their songs, producing a party atmosphere in a bastion of national pride.
There was optimism as the bowlers excelled, momentum when the top order responded, and unconditional love when the victory was secured.
Polar Opposites: The Variety of Test Matches
The venue has form with controversial surfaces. In the past, a Test there featured a strip with all the life of a a damp squib.
That fixture was a slog, with few wickets and interminable tedium. This recent match and that slow Test are diametrically opposed points of the range – neither the standard, yet value can be attached to each.
At this stage into the ongoing battle, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the memory.
"Far from being the death of the long game at all," said a past champion. "Spectators who have been lucky enough to see these short time have been treated to some real entertainment. A unique show."
Baby Steps: Building for the Future
In the lead-in to this match, the leader spoke like a man carrying the heavy burden on his shoulders.
The squad responded for him, reinstating the smile to his countenance.
Emerging talents stepped up with vital performances. These are baby steps, certainly not enough to secure long-term success, but a foundation to develop from.
Ultimately, this MCG win takes its place among other historic performances in meaningless games.
As the supporters slipped away into a beautiful night, the players assembled on the turf to begin their own celebrations.
Enjoy the drink, boys. This victory was hard-fought.
