In a glass case on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium sits a neon pink outfit worn by the pop star. The performance in front of a massive crowd of attendees was considered a success.
You might not like Robbie Williams. Maybe you feel he is the ultimate present to music the world has ever seen. Or you could adopt a balanced view, acknowledging that some songs are excellent while others are awful.
The point being is that enjoyment can take many forms. Preferences differ. There is no one way to produce literature or even the longest format.
The Peerless Spectrum of Test Cricket
The five-day game boasts peerless complexity. It's difficult to think of another sport where the contest is so dependent on conditions.
The elements, the session, the cricket ball – the factors are countless. Most important is the pitch.
If Test cricket is an artistic pursuit, the strip is the canvas on which the cricketers paint their masterpiece.
An Abstract Contest: The Fourth Test
The recent Melbourne match between the old rivals was Test cricket cubism, the traditional sport broken apart and reconstructed in a bizarre shape.
Let's be clear, this isn't a justification of the pitch which resulted in a win and the another sub-three-day finish of the series.
Allowing excessive grass on the surface, resulting in 36 wickets falling in less than two days, is not a balanced duel between offense and defense.
A Rich Tapestry: The Core of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a lesser event, one that should be qualified as illegitimate, is mistaken.
The long game is a rich tapestry, a long history and ongoing. At times, as seen at the MCG, the ball moves excessively for the pace bowlers. Other times, it spins sharply on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it explodes.
The thrillers are even more exciting owing to the patience committed elsewhere.
Adjustment: The Core Skill
Certain variables are accepted more readily than others.
The debate in Melbourne was that the contest was skewed excessively towards the fielding side. That the top batters were hindered from showcasing their talents.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – interpreting the wicket and responding accordingly. The top two individual scores were made by recognized stars. One side made more mistakes than the other, and thus lost.
Unbridled Joy: The Supporters' View
Attempt to convince the supporters who have suffered a long drought that this was not entertaining.
In one section of the stadium, countless fans made noise and created an atmosphere, producing a party atmosphere in a stronghold of Australian cricket.
There was optimism as the attack dominated, impetus when players scored quickly, and unconditional love when the result was confirmed.
Polar Opposites: The Variety of Test Matches
The MCG has a history with controversial surfaces. Previously, a match there featured a strip with the character of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That contest was a marathon, with limited drama and interminable tedium. This recent match and that previous match are extreme ends of the scale – one is not more ideal, yet value can be found in each.
Deep into the series into the Ashes contest, it is the quick finishes that will be most remembered in the memory.
"Far from being the demise of the format at all," said a veteran. "Fans who have been lucky enough to see these short time have been treated to some real entertainment. A unique show."
Small Victories: Looking Ahead
In the lead-in to this Test, the skipper spoke like a man carrying the heavy burden on his back.
The squad protected him, restoring the joy to his face.
Emerging talents performed with vital performances. These are incremental gains, certainly not enough to guarantee long-term stability, but a starting point to develop from.
At the very least, this triumph takes its place among other historic performances in dead rubbers.
As the crowd slipped away into a beautiful night, the squad congregated on the field to begin their own enjoyment.
Savour the moment, lads. It's well deserved.
