In a display cabinet on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium rests a neon pink outfit performed in by Robbie Williams. The performance in front of 100,024 spectators was seen as a triumph.
It's possible you enjoy the performer. You might think he is the ultimate present to music known to man. Alternatively, you may hold a reasonable stance, conceding that some tracks are fantastic while others are poor.
The point being is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. You like what you like. There is no universal formula to create literature or even Test cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of Test Cricket
Test cricket boasts incomparable variety. One struggles to think of another sport where the contest is so dependent on external factors.
The weather, the session, the cricket ball – the list is endless. Crucially is the playing surface.
If the long game is a form of art, the pitch is the foundation on which the athletes create their art.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Melbourne Spectacle
The recent Melbourne match between the two sides was an abstract version of cricket, the established format dismantled and stuck back together in abstract form.
This is not a defence of the wicket which yielded a triumph and the another sub-three-day finish of the contest.
Leaving a thick layer on the surface, causing numerous dismissals falling in less than six sessions, is not a balanced duel between bat and ball.
A Varied History: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a lesser event, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is incorrect.
Test cricket is a rich tapestry, a long history and still growing. At times, like in Melbourne, the ball behaves unpredictably for the fast men. Sometimes, it spins sharply on a dust bowl. Sometimes, the pitch is dead, other times it explodes.
The close matches are even more exciting owing to the patience committed during quieter periods.
Adaptation: The True Test
Certain variables are embraced more readily than others.
The debate in at the MCG was that the balance was skewed excessively towards the bowlers. That the best players were hindered from playing their natural game.
This level of cricket is about adapting to challenges – assessing the conditions and adjusting accordingly. The best individual contributions were made by acknowledged stars. One team made more mistakes than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Unbridled Joy: For Those Who Waited
Try telling the fans who have experienced a long drought that this lacked spectacle.
In one section of the ground, thousands waved their flags and chanted, generating a carnival vibe in a heartland of national pride.
There was optimism as the attack surged, advantage when batters scored quickly, and unconditional love when the victory was achieved.
Extreme Ends: The Variety of Test Matches
The venue has form with controversial surfaces. Eight years ago, a Test there featured a strip with all the life of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That match was a grind, with few wickets and slow play. The latest encounter and that previous match are diametrically opposed points of the range – one is not more ideal, yet significance can be found in them.
Deep into the series into the Ashes contest, it is the quick finishes that will be most remembered in the collective consciousness.
"It's not the death of the long game at all," commented a past champion. "Fans who have been fortunate to see these 48 hours have been experienced some genuine drama. An unusual spectacle."
Baby Steps: Building for the Future
In the build-up to this match, the captain spoke like a man carrying the heavy burden on his mind.
The squad protected him, restoring the smile to his countenance.
New faces performed with crucial roles. These are incremental gains, not nearly enough to guarantee long-term stability, but a starting point to build on.
At the very least, this Melbourne victory joins other historic performances in meaningless games.
As the crowd slipped away into a beautiful night, the team assembled on the turf to begin their own enjoyment.
Savour the moment, men. You've earned this one.
