Within a glass case on the upper level of the MCG rests a electric pink suit performed in by Robbie Williams. The show in front of a massive crowd of attendees was hailed as a success.
It's possible you appreciate his music. Perhaps you believe he is the finest offering to music the world has ever seen. Alternatively, you may hold a balanced view, admitting that some songs are fantastic while others are awful.
The point being is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. Tastes vary. There is not a single method to produce literature or even the longest format.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Long Game
Test cricket boasts unrivalled depth. One struggles to think of another sport where the contest is so dependent on conditions.
The climate, the hour of play, the ball – the variables are numerous. Above all is the playing surface.
If Test cricket is a form of art, the pitch is the blank slate 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 broken apart and stuck back together in an unusual manner.
It must be stated this is not a defence of the pitch which yielded a triumph and the another short match of the Ashes battle.
Leaving excessive grass on the wicket, resulting in numerous dismissals tumbling in less than a brief period, is not an even battle between offense and defense.
A Rich Tapestry: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a inferior show, one that should be marked with an asterisk as illegitimate, is wide of the mark.
Test cricket is a varied portfolio, a long history and still growing. Sometimes, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball does all sorts for the pace bowlers. Sometimes, it turns square on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is dead, other times it spits like a cobra.
The close matches are all the more thrilling because of the investment devoted elsewhere.
Adaptation: The Real Challenge
Specific conditions are tolerated more freely than others.
The contention in Melbourne was that the contest was tipped too far towards the fielding side. That the skilled individuals were hindered from demonstrating their skill.
Test cricket is about problem solving – interpreting the conditions and adjusting accordingly. The two highest individual scores were made by acknowledged players. One team committed more errors than the other, and thus lost.
Unbridled Joy: The Fan Perspective
Attempt to convince the devotees who have endured a long drought that this was not entertaining.
Among the crowd of the MCG, a sea of people made noise and chanted, producing a carnival vibe in a stronghold of sport.
There was optimism as the fielding side surged, momentum when batters fought back, and pure joy when the win was achieved.
Contrasting Examples: The Variety of Test Matches
The venue has a history with controversial surfaces. Previously, a game there featured a strip with the character of a a damp squib.
That contest was a grind, with few wickets and endless boredom. The two-day game and that previous match are diametrically opposed points of the range – one is not more ideal, yet value can be attached to them.
Deep into the series into the current series, it is the shortest games that will live longest in the history books.
"It's not the demise of Test cricket at all," observed a veteran. "The people who have been lucky enough to see these 48 hours have been treated to some genuine drama. An unusual spectacle."
Baby Steps: Looking Ahead
In the build-up to this Test, the captain spoke like a man carrying the heavy burden on his shoulders.
The squad protected him, reinstating the smile to his persona.
Emerging talents stepped up with key contributions. These are baby steps, certainly not enough to ensure long-term success, but a starting point to develop from.
At the very least, this MCG win joins other historic performances in meaningless games.
As the fans left into a stunning sunset, the players congregated on the field to begin their own festivities.
Celebrate the win, boys. You've earned this one.
