Within a glass case on the upper level of the Melbourne Cricket Ground is housed a electric pink outfit donned by the entertainer. His concert in front of a massive crowd of spectators was considered a triumph.
It's possible you appreciate Robbie Williams. You might think he is the greatest gift to music in history. You might take a reasonable stance, conceding that some hits are belting while others are awful.
The point being is that amusement can be delivered diversely. You like what you like. There is not a single method to create art or even five-day cricket.
The Peerless Spectrum of The Long Game
The traditional format boasts unrivalled depth. It's difficult to think of another sport where the outcome is so dependent on external factors.
The elements, the session, the ball – the variables are numerous. Crucially is the wicket.
If the long game is a form of art, the wicket is the canvas on which the players craft their legacy.
An Abstract Contest: The Melbourne Spectacle
The recent Melbourne match between the old rivals was the game deconstructed, the great game dismantled and stuck back together in abstract form.
It must be stated this is not a defence of the wicket which resulted in a triumph and the another short match of the series.
Allowing a thick layer on the pitch, resulting in 36 wickets falling in less than six sessions, is not a fair contest between batter and bowler.
A Varied History: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a lesser event, one that should be qualified as illegitimate, is mistaken.
The format is a varied portfolio, 2,615 parts and ongoing. On occasion, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball does all sorts for the pace bowlers. In contrast, it grips and turns on a spinning track. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it spits like a cobra.
The thrillers are particularly captivating owing to the time committed in other matches.
Problem Solving: The Real Challenge
Specific conditions are embraced more readily than others.
The debate in Melbourne was that the equilibrium was tipped too far towards the fielding side. That the best players were unable from showcasing their talents.
Test cricket is about finding solutions – reading the wicket and adjusting accordingly. The top two individual contributions were made by acknowledged players. One team made more mistakes than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Sheer Celebration: For Those Who Waited
Go and inform the supporters who have suffered a long drought that this was not entertaining.
In one section of the ground, countless fans made noise and created an atmosphere, fostering a carnival vibe in a bastion of national pride.
There was belief as the bowlers surged, advantage when batters fought back, and pure joy when the victory was achieved.
Extreme Ends: The Variety of Test Matches
The venue has previous experience with pitch problems. Eight years ago, a Test there featured a pitch with the character of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That contest was a marathon, with limited drama and endless boredom. The two-day game and that drawn affair are polar opposites of the spectrum – neither perfect, yet significance can be attached to them.
Four Tests into the Ashes contest, it is the quick finishes that will be most remembered in the collective consciousness.
"It's not the demise of the format at all," said a veteran. "Spectators who have been fortunate to see these short time have been given some genuine drama. An unusual spectacle."
Signs of Progress: A Glimmer of Hope
In the preparation to this Test, the skipper talked like a man carrying the weight of the world on his mind.
The team protected him, bringing back the positive demeanor to his countenance.
New faces delivered with vital performances. These are baby steps, certainly not enough to guarantee long-term success, but a foundation to use as a platform.
Ultimately, this triumph joins other notable performances in meaningless games.
As the supporters slipped away into a glorious Melbourne evening, the players assembled on the field to commence their own enjoyment.
Savour the moment, boys. This victory was hard-fought.
