In a showcase on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium is housed a vibrant pink ensemble worn by Robbie Williams. His performance in front of a massive crowd of spectators was considered a major hit.
You might not appreciate Robbie Williams. You might think he is the ultimate present to music known to man. Or you could adopt a balanced view, acknowledging that some tracks are excellent while others are awful.
The key argument is that enjoyment can be delivered diversely. You like what you like. There is no universal formula to create music or even Test cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of The Test Format
Test cricket boasts peerless complexity. It is hard to think of another sport where the outcome is so dictated by external factors.
The weather, the session, the red ball – the list is endless. Most important is the pitch.
If the format is an artistic pursuit, the pitch is the blank slate on which the players craft their legacy.
A Test of Cubism: The Melbourne Spectacle
The fourth Ashes Test between the old rivals was the game deconstructed, the established format taken to pieces and reconstructed in an unusual manner.
Let's be clear, this isn't a defence of the surface which produced a win and the second two-day Test of the Ashes battle.
Leaving a thick layer on the pitch, causing numerous dismissals being taken in less than two days, is not a balanced duel between bat and ball.
A Varied History: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be footnoted as inauthentic, is incorrect.
The long game is a diverse canvas, 2,615 parts and counting. At times, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball behaves unpredictably for the seamers. Sometimes, it grips and turns on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.
The exciting finishes are all the more thrilling because of the time committed in other matches.
Adaptation: The Real Challenge
Certain variables are embraced more easily than others.
The argument in Melbourne was that the contest was tipped too far towards the bowlers. That the top batters were unable from showcasing their talents.
The format is about finding solutions – assessing the wicket and adjusting appropriately. The best individual innings were made by acknowledged batters. One team made more mistakes than the other, and thus were defeated.
Pure Elation: For Those Who Waited
Attempt to convince the supporters who have suffered years of defeat that this lacked spectacle.
In one section of the stadium, a sea of people celebrated and sang their songs, generating a carnival vibe in a stronghold of national pride.
There was hope as the attack excelled, impetus when the top order scored quickly, and pure joy when the result was achieved.
Extreme Ends: The Variety of Test Matches
The venue has form with controversial surfaces. Eight years ago, a game there featured a pitch with the character of a a damp squib.
That fixture was a slog, with minimal action and interminable tedium. This recent match and that slow Test are diametrically opposed points of the spectrum – one is not more the standard, yet value can be found in each.
At this stage into the Ashes contest, it is the shortest games that will remain iconic in the memory.
"It's not the death of Test cricket at all," said a veteran. "The people who have been lucky enough to see these 48 hours have been given some real entertainment. An unusual spectacle."
Baby Steps: Looking Ahead
In the lead-in to this match, the skipper talked like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his shoulders.
The squad responded for him, bringing back the positive demeanor to his countenance.
Different players stepped up with crucial roles. These are baby steps, not nearly enough to ensure long-term success, but a starting point to build on.
In the end, this triumph is added to other notable performances in dead rubbers.
As the crowd left into a stunning sunset, the squad assembled on the outfield to commence their own enjoyment.
Celebrate the win, men. You've earned this one.
