Displayed inside a glass case on the upper level of the MCG rests a vibrant pink outfit donned by Robbie Williams. His concert in front of a hundred thousand fans was seen as a major hit.
It's possible you enjoy his music. You might think he is the greatest gift to music the world has ever seen. You might take a middle ground, admitting that some tracks are excellent while others are terrible.
The point being is that amusement can take many forms. Preferences differ. There is not a single method to produce music or even the longest format.
The Incomparable Variety of Test Cricket
Test cricket boasts unrivalled depth. One struggles to think of another sport where the playing is so reliant upon conditions.
The climate, the time of day, the red ball – the variables are numerous. Most important is the wicket.
If the format is an artistic pursuit, the pitch is the foundation on which the cricketers create their art.
A Broken-Down Battle: The MCG Match
The fourth Ashes Test between the two sides was an abstract version of cricket, the great game dismantled and reassembled in abstract form.
It must be stated this is not a defence of the wicket which resulted in a triumph and the another short match of the Ashes battle.
Allowing a thick layer on the pitch, resulting in a cascade of wickets falling in less than a brief period, is not a balanced duel between batter and bowler.
A Varied History: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a lesser event, one that should be qualified as not a proper Test, is incorrect.
The format is a varied portfolio, a long history and still growing. Sometimes, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball does all sorts for the fast men. Sometimes, it spins sharply on a spinning track. At other venues, the pitch is dead, other times it explodes.
The exciting finishes are all the more thrilling owing to the time devoted in other matches.
Adaptation: The True Test
Specific conditions are embraced more easily than others.
The argument in Melbourne was that the equilibrium was tipped too far towards the bowlers. That the top batters were hindered from playing their natural game.
The format is about adapting to challenges – interpreting the wicket and adjusting effectively. The two highest individual innings were made by world-class stars. One team committed more errors than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Pure Elation: The Supporters' View
Try telling the fans who have suffered years of defeat that this wasn't compelling.
Among the crowd of the stadium, a sea of people celebrated and chanted, generating a carnival vibe in a heartland of national pride.
There was belief as the attack surged, advantage when the top order scored quickly, and pure joy when the victory was secured.
Extreme Ends: The Variety of Test Matches
The MCG has a history with pitch problems. Previously, a game there featured a wicket with the character of a a damp squib.
That contest was a slog, with few wickets and endless boredom. The two-day game and that previous match are extreme ends of the scale – both are not ideal, yet value can be attached to them.
At this stage into the Ashes contest, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the history books.
"It's not the death of Test cricket at all," commented a veteran. "The people who have been lucky enough to see these short time have been experienced some fantastic sport. A unique show."
Signs of Progress: Building for the Future
In the lead-in to this Test, the captain spoke like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his back.
The squad delivered for him, reinstating the joy to his persona.
New faces performed with vital performances. These are small positives, not nearly enough to guarantee long-term futures, but a foundation to build on.
Ultimately, this MCG win joins other notable performances in dead rubbers.
As the supporters departed into a beautiful night, the squad assembled on the outfield to commence their own festivities.
Enjoy the drink, lads. You've earned this one.
