Displayed inside a display cabinet on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium rests a neon pink outfit donned by Robbie Williams. His concert in front of a hundred thousand spectators was considered a major hit.
It's possible you like Robbie Williams. Perhaps you believe he is the greatest gift to music in history. Or you could adopt a middle ground, conceding that some hits are excellent while others are terrible.
The point being is that enjoyment can take many forms. Preferences differ. There is no one way to create music or even the longest format.
The Peerless Spectrum of The Test Format
The traditional format boasts peerless complexity. It is hard to think of another sport where the contest is so dependent on conditions.
The climate, the time of day, the red ball – the list is endless. Crucially is the wicket.
If the long game is an artistic pursuit, the pitch is the canvas on which the cricketers craft their legacy.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test
The fourth Ashes Test between the old rivals was the game deconstructed, the established format taken to pieces and reassembled in an unusual manner.
It must be stated this is not a defence of the pitch which produced a triumph and the another sub-three-day finish of the series.
Allowing 10mm of grass on the wicket, resulting in 36 wickets falling in less than two days, is not a balanced duel between bat and ball.
A Rich Tapestry: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a lesser event, one that should be footnoted as illegitimate, is wide of the mark.
The format is a rich tapestry, a long history and still growing. Sometimes, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball moves excessively for the fast men. In contrast, it grips and turns on a dust bowl. At other venues, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it explodes.
The exciting finishes are all the more thrilling because of the investment committed elsewhere.
Problem Solving: The True Test
Certain variables are accepted more easily than others.
The contention in at the MCG was that the balance was tipped too far towards the bowlers. That the skilled individuals were hindered from demonstrating their skill.
Test cricket is about adapting to challenges – interpreting the situation and adjusting effectively. The two highest individual scores were made by acknowledged batters. One side made more mistakes than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Unbridled Joy: The Supporters' View
Try telling the supporters who have endured years of defeat that this wasn't compelling.
Among the crowd of the stadium, countless fans celebrated and sang their songs, fostering a party atmosphere in a stronghold of national pride.
There was belief as the attack excelled, impetus when batters scored quickly, and unconditional love when the victory was achieved.
Contrasting Examples: The Range of Test Matches
The venue has previous experience with difficult wickets. Previously, a game there featured a wicket with the excitement of a a non-event.
That contest was a slog, with limited drama and interminable tedium. The latest encounter and that previous match are extreme ends of the range – both are not ideal, yet significance can be ascribed to each.
Deep into the series into the current series, it is the two-day matches that will remain iconic in the collective consciousness.
"Far from being the end of the long game at all," observed a former player. "Spectators who have been lucky enough to see these short time have been treated to some fantastic sport. A unique show."
Small Victories: Building for the Future
In the build-up to this Test, the captain talked like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his mind.
The players protected him, bringing back the joy to his countenance.
New faces delivered with vital performances. These are baby steps, certainly not enough to guarantee long-term futures, but a foundation to build on.
At the very least, this triumph takes its place among other memorable performances in similar circumstances.
As the supporters slipped away into a glorious Melbourne evening, the team assembled on the turf to start their own enjoyment.
Celebrate the win, men. You've earned this one.
