In a glass case on the third floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium rests a vibrant pink ensemble worn by the entertainer. His performance in front of a hundred thousand attendees was seen as a major hit.
You might not like Robbie Williams. You might think he is the ultimate present to music known to man. You might take a balanced view, acknowledging that some tracks are fantastic while others are poor.
The point being is that entertainment can be delivered diversely. You like what you like. There is no one way to create art or even five-day cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Test Format
The five-day game boasts unrivalled depth. One struggles to think of another sport where the playing is so dependent on conditions.
The weather, the time of day, the red ball – the factors are countless. Most important is the wicket.
If Test cricket is an artistic pursuit, the strip is the foundation on which the players create their art.
A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test
The recent Melbourne match between Australia and England was the game deconstructed, the established format broken apart and reassembled in abstract form.
This is not a defence of the pitch which produced a triumph and the another sub-three-day finish of the contest.
Allowing excessive grass on the wicket, resulting in 36 wickets tumbling in less than two days, is not a balanced duel between batter and bowler.
A Diverse Legacy: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be qualified as illegitimate, is wide of the mark.
Test cricket is a diverse canvas, over two thousand matches and ongoing. Sometimes, as seen at the MCG, the cricket ball does all sorts for the seamers. Sometimes, it grips and turns on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it spits like a cobra.
The exciting finishes are all the more thrilling because of the patience committed during quieter periods.
Problem Solving: The Real Challenge
Certain variables are tolerated more readily than others.
The debate in Melbourne was that the contest was tipped too far towards the attack. That the skilled individuals were prevented from showcasing their talents.
The format is about finding solutions – assessing the conditions and responding effectively. The two highest individual contributions were made by recognized batters. One team was less disciplined than the other, and thus were defeated.
Unbridled Joy: The Fan Perspective
Go and inform the devotees who have endured years of defeat that this was not entertaining.
In one section of the ground, countless fans made noise and created an atmosphere, generating a carnival vibe in a heartland of sport.
There was optimism as the bowlers surged, impetus when batters fought back, and unconditional love when the win was confirmed.
Contrasting Examples: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The venue has form with controversial surfaces. In the past, a Test there featured a wicket with the excitement of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That fixture was a slog, with minimal action and slow play. This recent match and that previous match are extreme ends of the scale – neither perfect, yet significance can be attached to them.
Deep into the series into the Ashes contest, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the memory.
"This isn't the demise of Test cricket at all," said a former player. "The people who have been privileged to see these 48 hours have been treated to some real entertainment. Different entertainment."
Baby Steps: A Glimmer of Hope
In the build-up to this Test, the skipper spoke like a man carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
The squad responded for him, restoring the smile to his face.
Different players performed with key contributions. These are incremental gains, not nearly enough to guarantee long-term success, but a starting point to use as a platform.
Ultimately, this MCG win is added to other notable performances in dead rubbers.
As the supporters left into a glorious Melbourne evening, the squad congregated on the turf to commence their own festivities.
Savour the moment, boys. You've earned this one.
