Within a glass case on the elevated floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium rests a vibrant pink ensemble donned by Robbie Williams. His concert in front of a massive crowd of fans was hailed as a triumph.
Perhaps you don't enjoy the performer. Maybe you feel he is the finest offering to music the world has ever seen. Alternatively, you may hold a middle ground, acknowledging that some tracks are belting while others are terrible.
The point being is that entertainment can take many forms. Tastes vary. There is no one way to create literature or even Test cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Test Format
Test cricket boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the contest is so dictated by external factors.
The elements, the hour of play, the ball – the list is endless. Most important is the pitch.
If Test cricket is an artistic pursuit, the strip is the canvas on which the players paint their masterpiece.
An Abstract Contest: The Fourth Test
The fourth Ashes Test between the old rivals was Test cricket cubism, the traditional sport broken apart and stuck back together in an unusual manner.
This is not a endorsement of the pitch which produced a win and the another sub-three-day finish of the Ashes battle.
Having 10mm of grass on the surface, leading to numerous dismissals falling in less than a brief period, is not an even battle between batter and bowler.
A Rich Tapestry: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is wide of the mark.
Test cricket is a rich tapestry, a long history and counting. On occasion, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball does all sorts for the pace bowlers. Sometimes, it turns square on a spinning track. At other venues, the pitch is dead, other times it spits like a cobra.
The close matches are all the more thrilling because of the time devoted during quieter periods.
Adaptation: The Real Challenge
Certain variables are accepted more easily than others.
The argument in during the match was that the equilibrium was tipped too far towards the attack. That the skilled individuals were hindered from demonstrating their skill.
This level of cricket is about adapting to challenges – assessing the wicket and responding effectively. The top two individual innings were made by acknowledged players. One line-up was less disciplined than the other, and thus lost.
Pure Elation: The Supporters' View
Go and inform the devotees who have endured a long drought that this was not entertaining.
In a corner of the MCG, countless fans made noise and chanted, producing a party atmosphere in a bastion of Australian cricket.
There was optimism as the attack surged, momentum when the top order responded, and pure joy when the win was confirmed.
Contrasting Examples: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The venue has previous experience with controversial surfaces. In the past, a match there featured a strip with the excitement of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That match was a grind, with few wickets and slow play. The two-day game and that previous match are diametrically opposed points of the spectrum – both are not the standard, yet significance can be attached to them.
Deep into the series into the ongoing battle, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the history books.
"It's not the end of the long game at all," said a past champion. "The people who have been fortunate to see these two days have been treated to some real entertainment. An unusual spectacle."
Baby Steps: A Glimmer of Hope
In the preparation to this Test, the leader addressed the media like a man carrying the heavy burden on his back.
The squad delivered for him, restoring the positive demeanor to his face.
Emerging talents delivered with key contributions. These are baby steps, certainly not enough to secure long-term futures, but a foundation to use as a platform.
Ultimately, this MCG win is added to other memorable performances in similar circumstances.
As the crowd left into a beautiful night, the players congregated on the outfield to begin their own celebrations.
Enjoy the drink, lads. It's well deserved.
