In a glass case on the third floor of the MCG rests a neon pink suit donned by Robbie Williams. The performance in front of a massive crowd of spectators was seen as a major hit.
It's possible you like the performer. You might think he is the finest offering to music in history. Alternatively, you may hold a middle ground, acknowledging that some tracks are fantastic while others are poor.
The point being is that enjoyment can take many forms. Tastes vary. There is not a single method to craft literature or even the longest format.
The Peerless Spectrum of The Test Format
The five-day game boasts peerless complexity. It's difficult to think of another sport where the outcome is so dictated by external factors.
The elements, the session, the ball – the variables are numerous. Crucially is the playing surface.
If the format is an artistic pursuit, the pitch is the foundation on which the cricketers create their art.
A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test
The recent Melbourne match between Australia and England was Test cricket cubism, the established format broken apart and reconstructed in an unusual manner.
This is not a defence of the wicket which resulted in a victory and the second two-day Test of the Ashes battle.
Having a thick layer on the surface, resulting in numerous dismissals being taken in less than two days, is not an even battle between bat and ball.
A Rich Tapestry: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a lesser event, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is wide of the mark.
Test cricket is a rich tapestry, a long history and still growing. At times, as seen at the MCG, the ball does all sorts for the seamers. In contrast, it turns square on a spinning track. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.
The exciting finishes are even more exciting because of the patience committed during quieter periods.
Adaptation: The Real Challenge
Some factors are accepted more easily than others.
The contention in during the match was that the balance was weighted unfairly towards the attack. That the top batters were unable from playing their natural game.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – assessing the wicket and adapting appropriately. The two highest individual contributions were made by acknowledged stars. One side committed more errors than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Pure Elation: The Fan Perspective
Try telling the devotees who have endured 18 winless matches that this lacked spectacle.
In one section of the ground, countless fans made noise and chanted, fostering a party atmosphere in a stronghold of sport.
There was belief as the attack surged, advantage when batters responded, and rapturous celebration when the win was secured.
Polar Opposites: The Range of Test Matches
The Melbourne has form with difficult wickets. In the past, a match there featured a strip with the character of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That fixture was a slog, with few wickets and slow play. The latest encounter and that slow Test are extreme ends of the spectrum – one is not more the standard, yet significance can be found in both.
Deep into the series into the ongoing battle, it is the shortest games that will remain iconic in the history books.
"This isn't the demise of the long game at all," observed a former player. "Fans who have been privileged to see these two days have been experienced some genuine drama. An unusual spectacle."
Baby Steps: Looking Ahead
In the lead-in to this Test, the leader talked like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his shoulders.
The team protected him, restoring the joy to his countenance.
Emerging talents stepped up with key contributions. These are baby steps, hardly enough to ensure long-term futures, but a foundation to develop from.
In the end, this triumph is added to other notable performances in similar circumstances.
As the fans slipped away into a beautiful night, the players assembled on the outfield to commence their own celebrations.
Celebrate the win, men. You've earned this one.
