In a glass case on the upper level of the MCG sits a neon pink ensemble performed in by Robbie Williams. His performance in front of a massive crowd of attendees was hailed as a triumph.
You might not enjoy his music. You might think he is the ultimate present to music known to man. Or you could adopt a balanced view, admitting that some tracks are excellent while others are terrible.
The central idea is that entertainment can be delivered diversely. Preferences differ. There is no one way to create art or even Test cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Long Game
The traditional format boasts peerless complexity. It is hard to think of another sport where the playing is so dictated by the environment.
The climate, the hour of play, the ball – the variables are numerous. Crucially is the playing surface.
If the long game is art, the strip is the canvas on which the players create their art.
A Broken-Down Battle: The MCG Match
The recent Melbourne match between the two sides was an abstract version of cricket, the established format broken apart and stuck back together in a bizarre shape.
It must be stated this is not a justification of the surface which resulted in a win and the second two-day Test of the contest.
Having 10mm of grass on the pitch, resulting in a cascade of wickets falling in less than six sessions, is not an even battle between batter and bowler.
A Diverse Legacy: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a inferior show, one that should be marked with an asterisk as illegitimate, is mistaken.
The format is a rich tapestry, 2,615 parts and counting. On occasion, as witnessed recently, the ball does all sorts for the pace bowlers. Other times, it turns square on a dust bowl. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.
The exciting finishes are all the more thrilling owing to the investment committed during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The Core Skill
Some factors are embraced more freely than others.
The argument in during the match was that the contest was weighted unfairly towards the fielding side. That the top batters were prevented from showcasing their talents.
Test cricket is about finding solutions – reading the conditions and responding accordingly. The two highest individual scores were made by world-class players. One side committed more errors than the other, and thus were defeated.
Sheer Celebration: The Fan Perspective
Go and inform the devotees who have endured a long drought that this wasn't compelling.
In a corner of the stadium, a sea of people made noise and sang their songs, generating a carnival vibe in a stronghold of national pride.
There was hope as the fielding side excelled, momentum when the top order fought back, and unconditional love when the result was achieved.
Extreme Ends: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The Melbourne has form with pitch problems. Previously, a game there featured a strip with all the life of a a damp squib.
That contest was a marathon, with limited drama and endless boredom. The two-day game and that drawn affair are extreme ends of the spectrum – neither the standard, yet significance can be found in each.
Deep into the series into the Ashes contest, it is the two-day matches that will remain iconic in the history books.
"It's not the death of the long game at all," commented a past champion. "Fans who have been privileged to see these 48 hours have been treated to some real entertainment. Different entertainment."
Small Victories: A Glimmer of Hope
In the preparation to this match, the leader talked like a man carrying the weight of the world on his mind.
The squad responded for him, reinstating the smile to his countenance.
Different players performed with vital performances. These are incremental gains, certainly not enough to guarantee long-term stability, but a foundation to use as a platform.
In the end, this triumph takes its place among other notable performances in dead rubbers.
As the supporters departed into a stunning sunset, the team gathered on the outfield to begin their own festivities.
Savour the moment, men. This victory was hard-fought.
