Displayed inside a display cabinet on the elevated floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium sits a vibrant pink ensemble performed in by Robbie Williams. His concert in front of 100,024 fans was seen as a triumph.
You might not appreciate his music. Perhaps you believe he is the greatest gift to music the world has ever seen. Alternatively, you may hold a middle ground, acknowledging that some hits are excellent while others are awful.
The key argument is that enjoyment can take many forms. Preferences differ. There is no universal formula to produce art or even five-day cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of Test Cricket
The traditional format boasts peerless complexity. It is hard to think of another sport where the contest is so dependent on external factors.
The elements, the hour of play, the ball – the list is endless. Most important is the playing surface.
If the format is a form of art, the wicket is the canvas on which the cricketers craft their legacy.
A Broken-Down Battle: The MCG Match
The recent Melbourne match between the old rivals was an abstract version of cricket, the established format taken to pieces and reassembled in a bizarre shape.
This is not a endorsement of the wicket which resulted in a triumph and the another short match of the contest.
Leaving a thick layer on the pitch, causing a cascade of wickets being taken in less than a brief period, is not a fair contest between batter and bowler.
A Rich Tapestry: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be footnoted as inauthentic, is wide of the mark.
Test cricket is a rich tapestry, over two thousand matches and counting. On occasion, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball moves excessively for the fast men. Sometimes, it grips and turns on a spinning track. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.
The thrillers are even more exciting because of the investment devoted elsewhere.
Adjustment: The Real Challenge
Some factors are embraced more easily than others.
The debate in Melbourne was that the equilibrium was weighted unfairly towards the fielding side. That the best players were hindered from showcasing their talents.
This level of cricket is about finding solutions – interpreting the wicket and responding appropriately. The best individual scores were made by acknowledged stars. One team made more mistakes than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Unbridled Joy: For Those Who Waited
Go and inform the fans who have experienced a long drought that this was not entertaining.
In a corner of the ground, a sea of people celebrated and chanted, fostering a carnival vibe in a stronghold of Australian cricket.
There was belief as the attack surged, impetus when the top order scored quickly, and unconditional love when the win was achieved.
Extreme Ends: The Variety of Test Matches
The venue has a history with pitch problems. Previously, a match there featured a pitch with all the life of a a damp squib.
That fixture was a grind, with minimal action and interminable tedium. This recent match and that drawn affair are extreme ends of the spectrum – neither perfect, yet value can be found in each.
Four Tests into the current series, it is the shortest games that will remain iconic in the history books.
"This isn't the death of Test cricket at all," commented a past champion. "Spectators who have been fortunate to see these two days have been treated to some genuine drama. A unique show."
Baby Steps: Building for the Future
In the preparation to this match, the captain addressed the media like a man carrying the heavy burden on his shoulders.
The players delivered for him, reinstating the smile to his countenance.
Different players stepped up with crucial roles. These are small positives, not nearly enough to ensure long-term futures, but something to use as a platform.
Ultimately, this Melbourne victory is added to other historic performances in meaningless games.
As the fans left into a stunning sunset, the team gathered on the turf to commence their own festivities.
Celebrate the win, boys. It's well deserved.
