Within a glass case on the upper level of the Melbourne Cricket Ground rests a vibrant pink ensemble performed in by the pop star. His performance in front of 100,024 spectators was considered a major hit.
It's possible you appreciate Robbie Williams. Maybe you feel he is the ultimate present to music the world has ever seen. You might take a reasonable stance, conceding that some hits are excellent while others are terrible.
The central idea is that amusement can be delivered diversely. Tastes vary. There is no one way to create literature or even Test cricket.
The Peerless Spectrum of Test Cricket
Test cricket boasts peerless complexity. It is hard to think of another sport where the contest is so reliant upon the environment.
The elements, the time of day, the ball – the list is endless. Crucially is the pitch.
If Test cricket is a form of art, the pitch is the foundation on which the athletes craft their legacy.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Melbourne Spectacle
The recent Melbourne match between the old rivals was the game deconstructed, the great game taken to pieces and stuck back together in a bizarre shape.
It must be stated this is not a defence of the pitch which resulted in a victory and the another short match of the contest.
Leaving a thick layer on the pitch, resulting in 36 wickets falling in less than two days, is not a balanced duel between offense and defense.
A Rich Tapestry: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a lesser event, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is mistaken.
The long game is a diverse canvas, over two thousand matches and counting. At times, as seen at the MCG, the cricket ball does all sorts for the seamers. Other times, it turns square on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it spits like a cobra.
The exciting finishes are all the more thrilling owing to the investment made during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The Core Skill
Some factors are tolerated more readily than others.
The contention in Melbourne was that the contest was tipped too far towards the bowlers. That the best players were prevented from showcasing their talents.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – assessing the wicket and responding appropriately. The two highest individual contributions were made by world-class batters. One line-up was less disciplined than the other, and thus were defeated.
Pure Elation: The Fan Perspective
Attempt to convince the devotees who have endured years of defeat that this lacked spectacle.
In a corner of the stadium, countless fans made noise and chanted, producing a carnival vibe in a heartland of national pride.
There was belief as the attack dominated, advantage when the top order responded, and unconditional love when the victory was secured.
Polar Opposites: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The Melbourne has previous experience with pitch problems. Eight years ago, a game there featured a pitch with all the life of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That contest was a marathon, with limited drama and slow play. The two-day game and that previous match are extreme ends of the range – one is not more perfect, yet significance can be found in each.
Four Tests into the Ashes contest, it is the quick finishes that will remain iconic in the memory.
"This isn't the end of Test cricket at all," commented a past champion. "Fans who have been lucky enough to see these short time have been given some real entertainment. Different entertainment."
Baby Steps: Looking Ahead
In the build-up to this match, the leader addressed the media like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his back.
The squad delivered for him, reinstating the smile to his countenance.
New faces performed with key contributions. These are incremental gains, certainly not enough to secure long-term stability, but something to develop from.
Ultimately, this Melbourne victory joins other historic performances in meaningless games.
As the crowd slipped away into a beautiful night, the players assembled on the outfield to commence their own enjoyment.
Celebrate the win, boys. You've earned this one.
