Within a display cabinet on the upper level of the Melbourne Cricket Ground is housed a vibrant pink outfit worn by the pop star. His performance in front of a hundred thousand fans was seen as a triumph.
You might not appreciate 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 poor.
The point being is that amusement can manifest in countless ways. Preferences differ. There is no universal formula to produce literature or even five-day cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of The Test Format
The five-day game boasts peerless complexity. It is hard to think of another sport where the contest is so reliant upon the environment.
The climate, the hour of play, the ball – the variables are numerous. Crucially is the wicket.
If the format is a form of art, the wicket is the foundation on which the cricketers paint their masterpiece.
A Test of Cubism: The MCG Match
The recent Melbourne match between Australia and England was the game deconstructed, the great game taken to pieces and reconstructed in an unusual manner.
Let's be clear, this isn't a justification of the wicket which yielded a win and the second two-day Test of the Ashes battle.
Leaving a thick layer on the surface, causing numerous dismissals tumbling in less than a brief period, is not a fair contest between bat and ball.
A Diverse Legacy: The Core of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a lesser event, one that should be footnoted as illegitimate, is wide of the mark.
The long game is a rich tapestry, over two thousand matches and ongoing. At times, as witnessed recently, the ball does all sorts for the pace bowlers. In contrast, it turns square on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.
The close matches are even more exciting due to the patience made during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The Core Skill
Certain variables are accepted more easily than others.
The contention in at the MCG was that the contest was skewed excessively towards the fielding side. That the best players were unable from showcasing their talents.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – interpreting the situation and adapting accordingly. The two highest individual scores were made by recognized stars. One side committed more errors than the other, and thus were defeated.
Sheer Celebration: The Supporters' View
Attempt to convince the fans who have experienced 18 winless matches that this was not entertaining.
In one section of the MCG, thousands celebrated and chanted, producing a party atmosphere in a stronghold of sport.
There was hope as the bowlers dominated, momentum when batters fought back, and rapturous celebration when the win was secured.
Extreme Ends: The Variety of Test Matches
The Melbourne has previous experience with pitch problems. Previously, a game there featured a wicket with the character of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That match was a grind, with minimal action and slow play. The latest encounter and that previous match are extreme ends of the spectrum – both are not the standard, yet historical weight can be ascribed to both.
Deep into the series into the current series, it is the quick finishes that will be most remembered in the memory.
"It's not the demise of Test cricket at all," observed a former player. "Fans who have been fortunate to see these short time have been experienced some genuine drama. A unique show."
Small Victories: A Glimmer of Hope
In the preparation to this match, the captain addressed the media like a man carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
The team responded for him, bringing back the smile to his countenance.
Different players delivered with key contributions. These are incremental gains, not nearly enough to guarantee long-term futures, but a starting point to build on.
In the end, this Melbourne victory is added to other memorable performances in similar circumstances.
As the crowd left into a glorious Melbourne evening, the squad congregated on the field to commence their own celebrations.
Enjoy the drink, men. It's well deserved.
