In a glass case on the upper level of the MCG rests a neon pink ensemble donned by Robbie Williams. His performance in front of 100,024 spectators was hailed as a triumph.
Perhaps you don't appreciate his music. Perhaps you believe he is the ultimate present to music known to man. Or you could adopt a reasonable stance, acknowledging that some hits are belting while others are terrible.
The central idea is that enjoyment can be delivered diversely. Tastes vary. There is no one way to craft art or even five-day cricket.
The Peerless Spectrum of The Long Game
Test cricket boasts unrivalled depth. One struggles to think of another sport where the playing is so dependent on external factors.
The climate, the session, the ball – the variables are numerous. Most important is the pitch.
If Test cricket is a form of art, the wicket is the foundation on which the cricketers paint their masterpiece.
An Abstract Contest: The Fourth Test
The fourth Ashes Test between the old rivals was an abstract version of cricket, the traditional sport taken to pieces and stuck back together in abstract form.
Let's be clear, this isn't a justification of the pitch which yielded a win and the another short match of the series.
Having excessive grass on the surface, causing 36 wickets tumbling in less than six sessions, is not a fair contest between batter and bowler.
A Diverse Legacy: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a lesser event, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is wide of the mark.
The long game is a rich tapestry, 2,615 parts and ongoing. Sometimes, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball does all sorts for the seamers. In contrast, it spins sharply on a dust bowl. At other venues, the pitch is dead, other times it explodes.
The exciting finishes are even more exciting owing to the time committed during quieter periods.
Adaptation: The Core Skill
Certain variables are tolerated more easily than others.
The argument in during the match was that the contest was tipped too far towards the attack. That the skilled individuals were unable from showcasing their talents.
The format is about adapting to challenges – assessing the situation and adjusting accordingly. The best individual scores were made by recognized batters. One line-up was less disciplined than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Unbridled Joy: The Fan Perspective
Attempt to convince the fans who have endured years of defeat that this wasn't compelling.
In a corner of the stadium, countless fans waved their flags and sang their songs, fostering a party atmosphere in a bastion of national pride.
There was optimism as the bowlers excelled, advantage when batters scored quickly, and unconditional love when the result was achieved.
Contrasting Examples: The Range of Test Matches
The Melbourne has a history with controversial surfaces. Eight years ago, a game there featured a strip with the excitement of a a damp squib.
That fixture was a grind, with minimal action and endless boredom. The latest encounter and that previous match are polar opposites of the scale – neither perfect, yet historical weight can be found in each.
At this stage into the Ashes contest, it is the two-day matches that will live longest in the memory.
"It's not the death of the long game at all," said a veteran. "Spectators who have been fortunate to see these short time have been given some real entertainment. Different entertainment."
Small Victories: Building for the Future
In the build-up to this Test, the leader addressed the media like a man carrying the weight of the world on his mind.
The squad responded for him, reinstating the positive demeanor to his persona.
Different players delivered with crucial roles. These are small positives, certainly not enough to guarantee long-term stability, but a foundation to build on.
Ultimately, this Melbourne victory is added to other memorable performances in meaningless games.
As the fans slipped away into a glorious Melbourne evening, the team assembled on the turf to start their own enjoyment.
Celebrate the win, men. It's well deserved.
