In a glass case on the elevated floor of the Melbourne Cricket Ground rests a vibrant pink ensemble performed in by Robbie Williams. The concert in front of a massive crowd of spectators was considered a triumph.
You might not like his music. You might think he is the finest offering to music in history. Or you could adopt a middle ground, acknowledging that some hits are excellent while others are awful.
The key argument is that enjoyment can be delivered diversely. Preferences differ. There is not a single method to craft art or even Test cricket.
The Peerless Spectrum of Test Cricket
The traditional format boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the outcome is so dictated by the environment.
The weather, the session, the ball – the factors are countless. Most important is the wicket.
If the long game is an artistic pursuit, the pitch is the foundation on which the athletes paint their masterpiece.
An Abstract Contest: The Melbourne Spectacle
The fourth Ashes Test between the two sides was the game deconstructed, the established format taken to pieces and reconstructed in a bizarre shape.
This is not a defence of the pitch which resulted in a win and the second two-day Test of the contest.
Having excessive grass on the surface, leading to a cascade of wickets being taken in less than two days, is not a balanced duel between batter and bowler.
A Diverse Legacy: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a inferior show, one that should be marked with an asterisk as not a proper Test, is mistaken.
The format is a rich tapestry, a long history and counting. At times, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball does all sorts for the fast men. In contrast, it grips and turns on a spinning track. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it explodes.
The exciting finishes are even more exciting because of the time made in other matches.
Adjustment: The Real Challenge
Some factors are tolerated more readily than others.
The contention in at the MCG was that the balance was weighted unfairly towards the bowlers. That the skilled individuals were unable from playing their natural game.
This level of cricket is about adapting to challenges – assessing the wicket and responding accordingly. The top two individual scores were made by recognized stars. One team made more mistakes than the other, and thus were defeated.
Sheer Celebration: The Supporters' View
Go and inform the devotees who have endured years of defeat that this lacked spectacle.
In one section of the stadium, countless fans waved their flags and chanted, producing a festive mood in a bastion of sport.
There was hope as the bowlers surged, momentum when players scored quickly, and pure joy when the win was confirmed.
Contrasting Examples: The Variety of Test Matches
The MCG has a history with pitch problems. Previously, a game there featured a wicket with all the life of a a damp squib.
That contest was a slog, with limited drama and slow play. This recent match and that slow Test are diametrically opposed points of the spectrum – one is not more perfect, yet significance can be attached to both.
Deep into the series into the ongoing battle, it is the two-day matches that will live longest in the history books.
"Far from being the end of the format at all," said a former player. "Fans who have been lucky enough to see these two days have been treated to some real entertainment. Different entertainment."
Baby Steps: A Glimmer of Hope
In the build-up to this match, the skipper addressed the media like a man carrying the heavy burden on his back.
The squad responded for him, bringing back the joy to his countenance.
Emerging talents delivered with vital performances. These are baby steps, not nearly enough to guarantee long-term futures, but a foundation to use as a platform.
Ultimately, this triumph joins other notable performances in similar circumstances.
As the supporters slipped away into a glorious Melbourne evening, the players gathered on the outfield to begin their own enjoyment.
Enjoy the drink, men. This victory was hard-fought.
