In a showcase on the upper level of the Melbourne Cricket Ground rests a neon pink ensemble worn by Robbie Williams. His performance in front of a hundred thousand fans was seen as a success.
You might not enjoy Robbie Williams. You might think he is the ultimate present to music the world has ever seen. You might take a middle ground, admitting that some tracks are belting while others are poor.
The central idea is that enjoyment can take many forms. You like what you like. There is not a single method to craft literature or even the longest format.
The Incomparable Variety of The Long Game
The traditional format boasts incomparable variety. It's difficult to think of another sport where the playing is so reliant upon conditions.
The weather, the session, the red ball – the list is endless. Above all is the wicket.
If the long game is an artistic pursuit, the pitch is the blank slate on which the athletes craft their legacy.
An Abstract Contest: The Fourth Test
The fourth Ashes Test between the two sides was the game deconstructed, the great game taken to pieces and stuck back together in an unusual manner.
It must be stated this is not a defence of the surface which resulted in a triumph and the second two-day Test of the series.
Leaving excessive grass on the pitch, leading to numerous dismissals falling in less than a brief period, is not a fair contest between batter and bowler.
A Varied History: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be marked with an asterisk as not a proper Test, is wide of the mark.
Test cricket is a varied portfolio, over two thousand matches and counting. Sometimes, like in Melbourne, the ball moves excessively for the seamers. Other times, it turns square on a dust bowl. At other venues, the pitch is dead, other times it explodes.
The exciting finishes are particularly captivating because of the investment committed during quieter periods.
Problem Solving: The Real Challenge
Certain variables are accepted more freely than others.
The argument in Melbourne was that the equilibrium was skewed excessively towards the bowlers. That the skilled individuals were hindered from playing their natural game.
The format is about adapting to challenges – assessing the situation and adjusting accordingly. The two highest individual contributions were made by acknowledged players. One line-up was less disciplined than the other, and thus were defeated.
Pure Elation: For Those Who Waited
Try telling the supporters who have suffered 18 winless matches that this wasn't compelling.
Among the crowd of the MCG, a sea of people made noise and sang their songs, fostering a party atmosphere in a bastion of Australian cricket.
There was optimism as the fielding side excelled, impetus when players responded, and unconditional love when the result was achieved.
Polar Opposites: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The Melbourne has a history with difficult wickets. Eight years ago, a Test there featured a pitch with all the life of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That match was a grind, with limited drama and interminable tedium. The two-day game and that slow Test are polar opposites of the scale – both are not ideal, yet historical weight can be attached to both.
At this stage into the ongoing battle, it is the quick finishes that will be most remembered in the history books.
"It's not the death of the format at all," commented a former player. "Fans who have been lucky enough to see these 48 hours have been treated to some fantastic sport. A unique show."
Baby Steps: A Glimmer of Hope
In the build-up to this match, the leader talked like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his back.
The squad responded for him, bringing back the positive demeanor to his face.
Different players stepped up with vital performances. These are small positives, not nearly enough to guarantee long-term stability, but something to use as a platform.
At the very least, this MCG win takes its place among other memorable performances in dead rubbers.
As the fans left into a glorious Melbourne evening, the players congregated on the outfield to start their own festivities.
Celebrate the win, lads. This victory was hard-fought.
