In a display cabinet on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium sits a neon pink suit worn by the entertainer. The show in front of a massive crowd of attendees was considered a success.
Perhaps you don't like Robbie Williams. Perhaps you believe he is the finest offering to music known to man. You might take a middle ground, conceding that some tracks are excellent while others are poor.
The point being is that enjoyment can be delivered diversely. Preferences differ. There is no universal formula to create music or even the longest format.
The Incomparable Variety of Test Cricket
The five-day game boasts unrivalled depth. It's difficult to think of another sport where the playing is so dependent on conditions.
The elements, the hour of play, the ball – the variables are numerous. Crucially is the playing surface.
If the format is an artistic pursuit, the wicket is the canvas on which the athletes craft their legacy.
An Abstract Contest: The MCG Match
The recent Melbourne match between the old rivals was Test cricket cubism, the traditional sport taken to pieces and reassembled in abstract form.
It must be stated this is not a defence of the pitch which resulted in a triumph and the another short match of the contest.
Leaving excessive grass on the wicket, causing 36 wickets falling in less than a brief period, is not a fair contest between offense and defense.
A Diverse Legacy: The Core of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a lesser event, one that should be qualified as illegitimate, is mistaken.
Test cricket is a varied portfolio, over two thousand matches and still growing. On occasion, like in Melbourne, the ball moves excessively for the fast men. Other times, it grips and turns on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it spits like a cobra.
The exciting finishes are particularly captivating due to the investment made during quieter periods.
Problem Solving: The Real Challenge
Certain variables are embraced more easily than others.
The contention in at the MCG was that the equilibrium was tipped too far towards the attack. That the skilled individuals were unable from demonstrating their skill.
Test cricket is about adapting to challenges – interpreting the wicket and adapting effectively. The top two individual innings were made by recognized batters. One team committed more errors than the other, and thus were defeated.
Pure Elation: The Fan Perspective
Go and inform the fans who have endured a long drought that this lacked spectacle.
In a corner of the stadium, thousands waved their flags and chanted, fostering a festive mood in a heartland of national pride.
There was hope as the fielding side dominated, advantage when batters responded, and unconditional love when the result was confirmed.
Contrasting Examples: The Variety of Test Matches
The venue has form with controversial surfaces. Eight years ago, a game there featured a wicket with the excitement of a a damp squib.
That contest was a grind, with limited drama and interminable tedium. The two-day game and that slow Test are extreme ends of the range – one is not more the standard, yet historical weight can be ascribed to each.
At this stage into the current series, it is the quick finishes that will be most remembered in the collective consciousness.
"It's not the end of the long game at all," observed a former player. "Fans who have been lucky enough to see these short time have been given some genuine drama. Different entertainment."
Baby Steps: A Glimmer of Hope
In the build-up to this match, the skipper talked like a man carrying the heavy burden on his mind.
The players protected him, reinstating the smile to his countenance.
Different players performed with vital performances. These are incremental gains, hardly enough to secure long-term futures, but a foundation to build on.
At the very least, this Melbourne victory is added to other memorable performances in meaningless games.
As the fans departed into a stunning sunset, the team gathered on the turf to commence their own festivities.
Enjoy the drink, men. It's well deserved.
