Within a showcase on the elevated floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium is housed a neon pink outfit performed in by Robbie Williams. The show in front of a massive crowd of attendees was seen as a triumph.
Perhaps you don't like Robbie Williams. Perhaps you believe he is the finest offering to music in history. You might take a reasonable stance, admitting that some songs are fantastic while others are terrible.
The key argument is that amusement can be delivered diversely. Preferences differ. There is no universal formula to create literature or even five-day cricket.
The Peerless Spectrum of Test Cricket
Test cricket boasts peerless complexity. It's difficult to think of another sport where the contest is so reliant upon conditions.
The weather, the time of day, the ball – the factors are countless. Most important is the playing surface.
If the format is art, the pitch is the canvas on which the cricketers craft their legacy.
A Test of Cubism: The Melbourne Spectacle
The fourth Ashes Test between the old rivals was the game deconstructed, the established format taken to pieces and reassembled in abstract form.
This is not a endorsement of the wicket which yielded a victory and the another short match of the contest.
Leaving 10mm of grass on the pitch, leading to numerous dismissals being taken in less than a brief period, is not a fair contest between offense and defense.
A Rich Tapestry: The Core of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be marked with an asterisk as illegitimate, is mistaken.
The format is a varied portfolio, 2,615 parts and still growing. Sometimes, as seen at the MCG, the cricket ball moves excessively for the fast men. Other times, it spins sharply on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is dead, other times it explodes.
The exciting finishes are particularly captivating because of the time devoted during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The Core Skill
Specific conditions are accepted more freely than others.
The debate in Melbourne was that the balance was weighted unfairly towards the attack. That the best players were hindered from showcasing their talents.
Test cricket is about finding solutions – interpreting the situation and responding appropriately. The top two individual scores were made by recognized players. One side committed more errors than the other, and thus lost.
Unbridled Joy: For Those Who Waited
Try telling the fans who have endured a long drought that this wasn't compelling.
In a corner of the ground, countless fans made noise and sang their songs, generating a carnival vibe in a bastion of sport.
There was hope as the attack surged, impetus when batters responded, and rapturous celebration when the win was confirmed.
Polar Opposites: The Variety of Test Matches
The MCG has previous experience with pitch problems. In the past, a game there featured a strip with the excitement of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That contest was a grind, with minimal action and endless boredom. The two-day game and that slow Test are extreme ends of the spectrum – both are not perfect, yet value can be attached to them.
Four Tests into the Ashes contest, it is the shortest games that will remain iconic in the collective consciousness.
"It's not the death of the long game at all," said a veteran. "The people who have been privileged to see these two days have been experienced some real entertainment. Different entertainment."
Small Victories: A Glimmer of Hope
In the build-up to this match, the leader addressed the media like a man carrying the weight of the world on his back.
The team protected him, reinstating the smile to his persona.
Emerging talents stepped up with crucial roles. These are small positives, certainly not enough to ensure long-term futures, but a starting point to build on.
In the end, this Melbourne victory is added to other historic performances in meaningless games.
As the crowd departed into a beautiful night, the players congregated on the outfield to start their own enjoyment.
Savour the moment, boys. It's well deserved.
