In a showcase on the elevated floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium rests a neon pink suit donned by Robbie Williams. His show in front of a hundred thousand fans was seen as a triumph.
You might not enjoy Robbie Williams. You might think he is the ultimate present to music known to man. You might take a reasonable stance, acknowledging that some songs are fantastic while others are poor.
The key argument is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. Tastes vary. There is no one way to craft literature or even Test cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of The Test Format
Test cricket boasts peerless complexity. It's difficult to think of another sport where the outcome is so dictated by conditions.
The climate, the hour of play, the ball – the list is endless. Most important is the pitch.
If the long game is a form of art, the wicket is the canvas on which the cricketers create their art.
An Abstract Contest: The Melbourne Spectacle
The recent Melbourne match between the old rivals was the game deconstructed, the established format dismantled and stuck back together in a bizarre shape.
This is not a defence of the pitch which produced a victory and the second two-day Test of the Ashes battle.
Having excessive grass on the wicket, resulting in a cascade of wickets tumbling in less than two days, is not a balanced duel between batter and bowler.
A Varied History: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a lesser event, one that should be qualified as inauthentic, is mistaken.
The format is a rich tapestry, a long history and still growing. On occasion, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball moves excessively for the seamers. Sometimes, 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 thrillers are even more exciting because of the investment committed during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The Core Skill
Certain variables are accepted more easily than others.
The argument in at the MCG was that the equilibrium was skewed excessively towards the attack. That the top batters were hindered from playing their natural game.
This level of cricket is about finding solutions – reading the situation and adapting appropriately. The two highest individual scores were made by recognized players. One team committed more errors than the other, and thus were defeated.
Sheer Celebration: For Those Who Waited
Attempt to convince the supporters who have experienced years of defeat that this lacked spectacle.
In a corner of the ground, thousands celebrated and sang their songs, generating a party atmosphere in a heartland of national pride.
There was belief as the bowlers excelled, advantage when the top order fought back, and unconditional love when the victory was achieved.
Polar Opposites: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The MCG has a history with difficult wickets. In the past, a match there featured a wicket with the excitement of a a damp squib.
That contest was a grind, with minimal action and endless boredom. The two-day game and that previous match are extreme ends of the range – one is not more the standard, yet value can be ascribed to them.
At this stage into the Ashes contest, it is the quick finishes that will remain iconic in the history books.
"This isn't the demise of the long game at all," said a past champion. "Spectators who have been privileged to see these two days have been experienced some genuine drama. An unusual spectacle."
Small Victories: Looking Ahead
In the lead-in to this Test, the skipper spoke like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his shoulders.
The squad delivered for him, bringing back the joy to his countenance.
Emerging talents delivered with crucial roles. These are baby steps, not nearly enough to guarantee long-term futures, but something to use as a platform.
At the very least, this triumph is added to other notable performances in meaningless games.
As the supporters departed into a beautiful night, the players congregated on the outfield to start their own enjoyment.
Enjoy the drink, men. It's well deserved.
