In a glass case on the third floor of the Melbourne Cricket Ground rests a vibrant pink suit performed in by Robbie Williams. His performance in front of a hundred thousand spectators was seen as a success.
It's possible you like Robbie Williams. You might think he is the greatest gift to music the world has ever seen. Or you could adopt a reasonable stance, conceding that some tracks are excellent while others are poor.
The key argument is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. Preferences differ. There is no one way to create music or even five-day cricket.
The Peerless Spectrum of The Test Format
The traditional format boasts unrivalled depth. One struggles to think of another sport where the outcome is so reliant upon the environment.
The weather, the hour of play, the ball – the variables are numerous. Above all is the pitch.
If the format is art, the pitch is the foundation on which the athletes create their art.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test
The fourth Ashes Test between the old rivals was Test cricket cubism, the traditional sport broken apart and reconstructed in an unusual manner.
This is not a endorsement of the wicket which resulted in a win and the another short match of the contest.
Having 10mm of grass on the surface, causing numerous dismissals falling in less than two days, is not an even battle between batter and bowler.
A Rich Tapestry: The Core of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is mistaken.
Test cricket is a varied portfolio, a long history and counting. At times, like in Melbourne, the ball moves excessively for the pace bowlers. In contrast, it spins sharply on a spinning track. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it spits like a cobra.
The close matches are even more exciting owing to the patience devoted during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The Core Skill
Certain variables are tolerated more readily than others.
The contention in at the MCG was that the equilibrium was skewed excessively towards the bowlers. That the top batters were prevented from showcasing their talents.
The format is about finding solutions – interpreting the wicket and responding appropriately. The two highest individual scores were made by world-class batters. One side committed more errors than the other, and thus lost.
Sheer Celebration: The Supporters' View
Try telling the devotees who have experienced 18 winless matches that this lacked spectacle.
Among the crowd of the ground, a sea of people waved their flags and created an atmosphere, generating a carnival vibe in a stronghold of sport.
There was optimism as the fielding side excelled, advantage when players fought back, and rapturous celebration when the victory was achieved.
Contrasting Examples: The Range of Test Matches
The Melbourne has previous experience with pitch problems. In the past, a match there featured a wicket with the character of a a non-event.
That fixture was a marathon, with few wickets and endless boredom. The latest encounter and that drawn affair are extreme ends of the range – neither ideal, yet significance can be found in both.
At this stage into the Ashes contest, it is the two-day matches that will remain iconic in the history books.
"This isn't the demise of the format at all," commented a veteran. "Spectators who have been privileged to see these two days have been treated to some fantastic sport. A unique show."
Signs of Progress: A Glimmer of Hope
In the preparation to this match, the leader spoke like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his mind.
The team delivered for him, restoring the smile to his persona.
New faces performed with vital performances. These are incremental gains, certainly not enough to ensure long-term futures, but something to develop from.
In the end, this Melbourne victory is added to other historic performances in similar circumstances.
As the supporters left into a stunning sunset, the squad gathered on the turf to begin their own enjoyment.
Enjoy the drink, boys. You've earned this one.
