In a glass case on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium rests a electric pink ensemble worn by Robbie Williams. The performance in front of 100,024 fans was considered a success.
It's possible you like Robbie Williams. Perhaps you believe he is the greatest gift to music known to man. You might take a balanced view, 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 create art or even the longest format.
The Peerless Spectrum of Test Cricket
The five-day game boasts peerless complexity. It is hard to think of another sport where the outcome is so dictated by conditions.
The weather, the time of day, the red ball – the list is endless. Most important is the pitch.
If the format is an artistic pursuit, the wicket is the blank slate on which the athletes craft their legacy.
An Abstract Contest: The Fourth Test
The recent Melbourne match between the old rivals was the game deconstructed, the great game broken apart and stuck back together in a bizarre shape.
Let's be clear, this isn't a justification of the wicket which produced a win and the another short match of the series.
Leaving excessive grass on the surface, resulting in numerous dismissals falling in less than six sessions, is not an even battle between offense and defense.
A Diverse Legacy: The Core of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a lesser event, one that should be footnoted as illegitimate, is mistaken.
The format is a varied portfolio, a long history and counting. At times, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball moves excessively for the seamers. Other times, it spins sharply on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is dead, other times it bounces unevenly.
The close matches are particularly captivating due to the investment devoted during quieter periods.
Adaptation: The True Test
Certain variables are accepted more easily than others.
The debate in Melbourne was that the contest was weighted unfairly towards the fielding side. That the best players were hindered from demonstrating their skill.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – assessing the conditions and responding effectively. The top two individual contributions were made by recognized players. One line-up committed more errors than the other, and thus were defeated.
Sheer Celebration: The Supporters' View
Try telling the fans who have endured a long drought that this wasn't compelling.
Among the crowd of the MCG, thousands waved their flags and created an atmosphere, producing a festive mood in a stronghold of sport.
There was hope as the attack surged, advantage when the top order scored quickly, and rapturous celebration when the victory was confirmed.
Contrasting Examples: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The MCG has form with pitch problems. In the past, a Test there featured a wicket with the character of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That contest was a marathon, with few wickets and endless boredom. The two-day game and that slow Test are extreme ends of the scale – neither perfect, yet value can be found in them.
At this stage into the current series, it is the two-day matches that will be most remembered in the history books.
"This isn't the demise of Test cricket at all," said a veteran. "Fans who have been privileged to see these 48 hours have been experienced some genuine drama. An unusual spectacle."
Small Victories: A Glimmer of Hope
In the preparation to this Test, the leader spoke like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his back.
The players responded for him, restoring the smile to his countenance.
New faces delivered with key contributions. These are small positives, not nearly enough to guarantee long-term stability, but a starting point to build on.
At the very least, this triumph takes its place among other memorable performances in similar circumstances.
As the crowd departed into a glorious Melbourne evening, the players congregated on the outfield to start their own festivities.
Savour the moment, lads. You've earned this one.
