Within a glass case on the upper level of the MCG sits a neon pink outfit performed in by the pop star. His concert in front of a massive crowd of fans was seen as a success.
You might not appreciate Robbie Williams. You might think he is the finest offering to music in history. You might take a reasonable stance, conceding that some songs are belting while others are poor.
The key argument is that enjoyment can take many forms. Preferences differ. There is no one way to craft art or even five-day cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of The Test Format
The five-day game boasts incomparable variety. One struggles to think of another sport where the outcome is so dependent on external factors.
The elements, the session, the ball – the variables are numerous. Most important is the playing surface.
If the format is a form of art, the wicket is the blank slate on which the cricketers paint their masterpiece.
A Broken-Down Battle: The MCG Match
The fourth Ashes Test between the old rivals was an abstract version of cricket, the great game broken apart and reassembled in an unusual manner.
This is not a defence of the pitch which yielded a triumph and the second two-day Test of the series.
Having 10mm of grass on the pitch, leading to numerous dismissals being taken in less than six sessions, is not a balanced duel between batter and bowler.
A Varied History: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a inferior show, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is wide of the mark.
The format is a rich tapestry, over two thousand matches and ongoing. At times, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball moves excessively for the seamers. Sometimes, it spins sharply on a dust bowl. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it explodes.
The exciting finishes are particularly captivating because of the investment made during quieter periods.
Problem Solving: The Real Challenge
Specific conditions are tolerated more readily than others.
The debate in during the match was that the contest was weighted unfairly towards the fielding side. That the top batters were hindered from demonstrating their skill.
Test cricket is about finding solutions – interpreting the situation and responding effectively. The best individual innings were made by acknowledged players. One side made more mistakes than the other, and thus were defeated.
Unbridled Joy: The Supporters' View
Attempt to convince the devotees who have endured a long drought that this lacked spectacle.
In one section of the stadium, a sea of people made noise and sang their songs, producing a carnival vibe in a stronghold of sport.
There was optimism as the bowlers dominated, advantage when batters fought back, and pure joy when the result was secured.
Contrasting Examples: The Range of Test Matches
The venue has form with pitch problems. In the past, a match there featured a strip with the character of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That match was a grind, with minimal action and interminable tedium. The latest encounter and that drawn affair are polar opposites of the range – one is not more perfect, yet value can be found in them.
At this stage into the current series, it is the two-day matches that will remain iconic in the collective consciousness.
"Far from being the death of the format at all," observed a veteran. "Fans who have been lucky enough to see these two days have been given some fantastic sport. Different entertainment."
Signs of Progress: A Glimmer of Hope
In the preparation to this match, the captain talked like a man carrying the heavy burden on his mind.
The squad responded for him, reinstating the smile to his persona.
New faces delivered with vital performances. These are incremental gains, not nearly enough to guarantee long-term futures, but something to use as a platform.
Ultimately, this Melbourne victory is added to other memorable performances in meaningless games.
As the fans slipped away into a stunning sunset, the team assembled on the outfield to begin their own festivities.
Enjoy the drink, men. It's well deserved.
