Displayed inside a glass case on the elevated floor of the Melbourne Cricket Ground is housed a electric pink suit donned by Robbie Williams. The show in front of a massive crowd of spectators was considered a success.
It's possible you enjoy the performer. Maybe you feel he is the finest offering to music the world has ever seen. Or you could adopt a balanced view, conceding that some hits are belting while others are terrible.
The key argument is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. 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 is hard to think of another sport where the contest is so dictated by external factors.
The climate, the hour of play, the red ball – the variables are numerous. Most important is the playing surface.
If the long game is a form of art, the strip is the foundation on which the athletes craft their legacy.
A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test
The fourth Ashes Test between the two sides was the game deconstructed, the great game broken apart and stuck back together in a bizarre shape.
It must be stated this is not a justification of the surface which produced a win and the second two-day Test of the contest.
Having 10mm of grass on the wicket, leading to numerous dismissals falling in less than a brief period, is not a fair contest between batter and bowler.
A Varied History: The Core of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a lesser event, one that should be qualified as inauthentic, is incorrect.
The format is a rich tapestry, over two thousand matches and still growing. On occasion, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball does all sorts for the pace bowlers. In contrast, it turns square on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.
The thrillers are particularly captivating due to the time devoted during quieter periods.
Problem Solving: The Real Challenge
Specific conditions are embraced more readily than others.
The argument in at the MCG was that the contest was weighted unfairly towards the bowlers. That the best players were hindered from showcasing their talents.
The format is about adapting to challenges – interpreting the conditions and responding appropriately. The top two individual scores were made by recognized stars. One team made more mistakes than the other, and thus lost.
Sheer Celebration: For Those Who Waited
Attempt to convince the devotees who have suffered years of defeat that this lacked spectacle.
In one section of the ground, thousands celebrated and sang their songs, generating a party atmosphere in a bastion of national pride.
There was hope as the attack excelled, impetus when the top order fought back, and pure joy when the victory was achieved.
Contrasting Examples: The Range of Test Matches
The venue has form with pitch problems. Eight years ago, a Test there featured a wicket with the excitement of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That contest was a slog, with minimal action and interminable tedium. This recent match and that drawn affair are polar opposites of the scale – both are not ideal, yet significance can be ascribed to each.
At this stage into the ongoing battle, it is the two-day matches that will remain iconic in the collective consciousness.
"Far from being the demise of the format at all," commented a veteran. "Fans who have been privileged to see these two days have been treated to some fantastic sport. Different entertainment."
Small Victories: A Glimmer of Hope
In the preparation to this Test, the captain spoke like a man carrying the heavy burden on his shoulders.
The squad responded for him, restoring the positive demeanor to his persona.
Different players delivered with crucial roles. These are small positives, hardly enough to ensure long-term success, but a foundation to develop from.
Ultimately, this MCG win takes its place among other historic performances in meaningless games.
As the supporters departed into a stunning sunset, the players assembled on the turf to begin their own enjoyment.
Savour the moment, boys. You've earned this one.
