In a glass case on the upper level of the MCG rests a vibrant pink ensemble worn by Robbie Williams. His concert in front of a hundred thousand attendees was considered a triumph.
Perhaps you don't enjoy the performer. Maybe you feel he is the greatest gift to music the world has ever seen. Alternatively, you may hold a middle ground, acknowledging that some hits are belting while others are poor.
The key argument is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. Preferences differ. There is no universal formula to create art or even five-day cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of The Test Format
Test cricket boasts incomparable variety. It's difficult to think of another sport where the outcome is so reliant upon external factors.
The elements, the hour of play, the cricket ball – the factors are countless. Crucially is the playing surface.
If the format is an artistic pursuit, the pitch is the blank slate on which the players paint their masterpiece.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test
The Boxing Day fixture between the two sides was an abstract version of cricket, the traditional sport taken to pieces and reassembled in an unusual manner.
It must be stated this is not a endorsement of the pitch which yielded a triumph and the second two-day Test of the series.
Having excessive grass on the wicket, resulting in numerous dismissals tumbling in less than six sessions, is not a balanced duel between batter and bowler.
A Varied History: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a lesser event, one that should be footnoted as inauthentic, is wide of the mark.
The format is a rich tapestry, 2,615 parts and still growing. Sometimes, as seen at the MCG, the ball moves excessively for the fast men. Other times, it grips and turns on a dust bowl. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.
The thrillers are particularly captivating owing to the time committed during quieter periods.
Problem Solving: The True Test
Certain variables are tolerated more readily than others.
The contention in Melbourne was that the contest was tipped too far towards the attack. That the best players were hindered from demonstrating their skill.
The format is about problem solving – interpreting the wicket and adjusting effectively. The two highest individual innings were made by world-class batters. One team was less disciplined than the other, and thus lost.
Unbridled Joy: The Supporters' View
Attempt to convince the supporters who have experienced a long drought that this wasn't compelling.
In one section of the MCG, a sea of people waved their flags and chanted, fostering a carnival vibe in a stronghold of Australian cricket.
There was optimism as the bowlers surged, impetus when batters scored quickly, and unconditional love when the result was achieved.
Extreme Ends: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The venue has previous experience with controversial surfaces. In the past, a Test there featured a wicket with the excitement of a a non-event.
That contest was a slog, with limited drama and interminable tedium. This recent match and that previous match are extreme ends of the scale – one is not more ideal, yet historical weight can be attached to them.
Deep into the series into the current series, it is the two-day matches that will remain iconic in the history books.
"It's not the death of Test cricket at all," said a former player. "The people who have been lucky enough to see these two days have been treated to some real entertainment. Different entertainment."
Signs of Progress: Looking Ahead
In the lead-in to this match, the skipper talked like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his shoulders.
The team delivered for him, bringing back the positive demeanor to his persona.
New faces stepped up with vital performances. These are small positives, hardly enough to guarantee long-term futures, but a starting point to use as a platform.
Ultimately, this MCG win is added to other notable performances in meaningless games.
As the fans departed into a glorious Melbourne evening, the players gathered on the outfield to commence their own festivities.
Enjoy the drink, boys. It's well deserved.
