In a display cabinet on the third floor of the MCG sits a neon pink outfit donned by Robbie Williams. His performance in front of a hundred thousand spectators was seen as a success.
It's possible you enjoy his music. You might think he is the greatest gift to music known to man. Alternatively, you may hold a reasonable stance, acknowledging that some hits are belting while others are awful.
The key argument is that enjoyment can take many forms. Tastes vary. There is no universal formula to craft music or even the longest format.
The Peerless Spectrum of The Long Game
The five-day game boasts incomparable variety. It is hard to think of another sport where the outcome is so dictated by conditions.
The weather, the time of day, the ball – the factors are countless. Crucially is the pitch.
If Test cricket is a form of art, the wicket is the foundation on which the cricketers create their art.
An Abstract Contest: The Melbourne Spectacle
The Boxing Day fixture between Australia and England was Test cricket cubism, the established format dismantled and stuck back together in a bizarre shape.
It must be stated this is not a justification of the surface which resulted in a victory and the second two-day Test of the contest.
Allowing a thick layer on the pitch, resulting in numerous dismissals falling in less than two days, is not a fair contest between offense and defense.
A Rich Tapestry: The Core of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a lesser event, one that should be marked with an asterisk as inauthentic, is mistaken.
The long game is a diverse canvas, over two thousand matches and still growing. At times, as seen at the MCG, the cricket ball does all sorts for the pace bowlers. Sometimes, it turns square on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is dead, other times it explodes.
The exciting finishes are particularly captivating because of the patience committed in other matches.
Adaptation: The Core Skill
Specific conditions are embraced more freely than others.
The contention in Melbourne was that the equilibrium was weighted unfairly towards the fielding side. That the skilled individuals were hindered from demonstrating their skill.
The format is about finding solutions – assessing the conditions and responding appropriately. The two highest individual scores were made by recognized stars. One line-up committed more errors than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Sheer Celebration: For Those Who Waited
Try telling the supporters who have suffered years of defeat that this wasn't compelling.
In one section of the MCG, countless fans celebrated and created an atmosphere, fostering a carnival vibe in a bastion of national pride.
There was optimism as the attack surged, advantage when players scored quickly, and unconditional love when the win was confirmed.
Polar Opposites: The Variety of Test Matches
The venue has form with controversial surfaces. Previously, a match there featured a pitch with all the life of a a damp squib.
That contest was a marathon, with limited drama and slow play. This recent match and that previous match are polar opposites of the scale – neither ideal, yet historical weight can be ascribed to each.
Four Tests into the current series, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the history books.
"Far from being the demise of the long game at all," commented a veteran. "Fans who have been lucky enough to see these short time have been treated to some fantastic sport. An unusual spectacle."
Signs of Progress: Building for the Future
In the lead-in to this Test, the captain spoke like a man carrying the heavy burden on his mind.
The squad responded for him, reinstating the smile to his face.
Emerging talents performed with crucial roles. These are incremental gains, not nearly enough to guarantee long-term success, but a starting point to use as a platform.
Ultimately, this triumph takes its place among other memorable performances in meaningless games.
As the supporters slipped away into a stunning sunset, the team congregated on the turf to commence their own enjoyment.
Enjoy the drink, men. You've earned this one.
