Within a glass case on the elevated floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium rests a electric pink suit performed in by Robbie Williams. The show in front of a massive crowd of spectators was seen as a success.
You might not enjoy his music. Perhaps you believe he is the ultimate present to music known to man. Or you could adopt a middle ground, acknowledging that some tracks are excellent while others are poor.
The key argument is that entertainment can take many forms. Tastes vary. There is not a single method to craft music or even the longest format.
The Incomparable Variety of Test Cricket
The traditional format boasts incomparable variety. It's difficult to think of another sport where the outcome is so dictated by conditions.
The climate, the time of day, the cricket ball – the variables are numerous. Crucially is the pitch.
If Test cricket is art, the wicket is the blank slate on which the athletes paint their masterpiece.
A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test
The fourth Ashes Test between the old rivals was an abstract version of cricket, the established format broken apart and stuck back together in abstract form.
This is not a endorsement of the wicket which yielded a win and the second two-day Test of the Ashes battle.
Having 10mm of grass on the wicket, causing a cascade of wickets being taken in less than a brief period, is not a balanced duel between batter and bowler.
A Varied History: The Core of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a lesser event, one that should be marked with an asterisk as not a proper Test, is wide of the mark.
The long game is a varied portfolio, a long history and ongoing. On occasion, as seen at the MCG, the cricket ball moves excessively for the seamers. Sometimes, it spins sharply on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is dead, other times it bounces unevenly.
The close matches are particularly captivating due to the patience committed during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The Real Challenge
Specific conditions are tolerated more readily than others.
The contention in Melbourne was that the balance was weighted unfairly towards the attack. That the skilled individuals were unable from playing their natural game.
Test cricket is about adapting to challenges – interpreting the situation and adapting accordingly. The top two individual innings were made by acknowledged players. One side committed more errors than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Pure Elation: The Fan Perspective
Attempt to convince the supporters who have endured a long drought that this was not entertaining.
In a corner of the MCG, a sea of people celebrated and sang their songs, fostering a party atmosphere in a bastion of national pride.
There was belief as the fielding side excelled, advantage when batters fought back, and unconditional love when the result was achieved.
Polar Opposites: The Range of Test Matches
The Melbourne has previous experience with difficult wickets. In the past, a game there featured a wicket with all the life of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That match was a grind, with few wickets and endless boredom. The latest encounter and that previous match are diametrically opposed points of the range – one is not more the standard, yet significance can be ascribed to them.
At this stage into the Ashes contest, it is the shortest games that will live longest in the collective consciousness.
"It's not the end of Test cricket at all," said a veteran. "Spectators who have been lucky enough to see these 48 hours have been given some genuine drama. An unusual spectacle."
Signs of Progress: Looking Ahead
In the build-up to this match, the captain talked like a man carrying the heavy burden on his back.
The team delivered for him, restoring the smile to his persona.
New faces performed with vital performances. These are baby steps, certainly not enough to secure long-term futures, but a foundation to use as a platform.
Ultimately, this triumph takes its place among other historic performances in dead rubbers.
As the supporters slipped away into a beautiful night, the team assembled on the outfield to commence their own celebrations.
Celebrate the win, boys. It's well deserved.
