Displayed inside a showcase on the third floor of the MCG rests a electric pink ensemble donned by Robbie Williams. His show in front of a massive crowd of attendees was considered a success.
It's possible you appreciate Robbie Williams. You might think he is the finest offering to music known to man. You might take a reasonable stance, conceding that some tracks are excellent while others are terrible.
The point being is that enjoyment can take many forms. You like what you like. There is no one way to produce art or even five-day cricket.
The Peerless Spectrum of The Test Format
The traditional format boasts unrivalled depth. It's difficult to think of another sport where the contest is so dependent on the environment.
The weather, the time of day, the cricket ball – the factors are countless. Crucially is the wicket.
If the format is art, the pitch is the canvas on which the players paint their masterpiece.
A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test
The Boxing Day fixture between the old rivals was Test cricket cubism, the traditional sport taken to pieces and reconstructed in an unusual manner.
This is not a endorsement of the wicket which resulted in a win and the second two-day Test of the series.
Leaving 10mm of grass on the wicket, resulting in a cascade of wickets being taken in less than six sessions, is not an even battle between batter and bowler.
A Diverse Legacy: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a inferior show, one that should be footnoted as illegitimate, is wide of the mark.
The format is a rich tapestry, 2,615 parts and still growing. On occasion, as witnessed recently, the ball does all sorts for the seamers. Sometimes, it turns square on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is dead, other times it spits like a cobra.
The thrillers are particularly captivating because of the time committed during quieter periods.
Adaptation: The Core Skill
Certain variables are embraced more freely than others.
The argument in during the match was that the balance was tipped too far towards the bowlers. That the skilled individuals were prevented from showcasing their talents.
Test cricket is about finding solutions – interpreting the situation and adapting effectively. The two highest individual contributions were made by recognized batters. One team committed more errors than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Unbridled Joy: For Those Who Waited
Go and inform the fans who have experienced 18 winless matches that this wasn't compelling.
In a corner of the stadium, countless fans celebrated and created an atmosphere, fostering a festive mood in a stronghold of national pride.
There was optimism as the fielding side excelled, impetus when the top order fought back, and unconditional love when the victory was confirmed.
Contrasting Examples: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The Melbourne has previous experience with controversial surfaces. In the past, a Test there featured a strip with the excitement of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That contest was a slog, with few wickets and interminable tedium. The latest encounter and that slow Test are polar opposites of the spectrum – both are not ideal, yet significance can be attached to them.
Four Tests into the ongoing battle, it is the two-day matches that will be most remembered in the history books.
"It's not the death of Test cricket at all," said a former player. "Spectators who have been lucky enough to see these two days have been experienced some fantastic sport. An unusual spectacle."
Baby Steps: A Glimmer of Hope
In the build-up to this Test, the leader spoke like a man carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
The team protected him, bringing back the positive demeanor to his face.
Different players stepped up with key contributions. These are incremental gains, hardly enough to ensure long-term success, but something to build on.
At the very least, this triumph is added to other historic performances in similar circumstances.
As the fans slipped away into a glorious Melbourne evening, the squad congregated on the field to commence their own enjoyment.
Savour the moment, lads. You've earned this one.
