Within a glass case on the third floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium sits a electric pink ensemble donned by the pop star. His show in front of a massive crowd of spectators was hailed as a triumph.
It's possible you enjoy Robbie Williams. Perhaps you believe he is the ultimate present to music known to man. Or you could adopt a balanced view, conceding that some songs are fantastic while others are poor.
The key argument is that enjoyment can manifest in countless ways. Preferences differ. There is no universal formula to craft literature or even the longest format.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Long Game
The traditional format boasts unrivalled depth. It's difficult to think of another sport where the contest is so reliant upon external factors.
The elements, the session, the red ball – the variables are numerous. Most important is the playing surface.
If Test cricket is a form of art, the wicket is the blank slate on which the athletes craft their legacy.
An Abstract Contest: The MCG Match
The recent Melbourne match between Australia and England was an abstract version of cricket, the great game broken apart and reconstructed in an unusual manner.
It must be stated this is not a defence of the surface which produced a win and the second two-day Test of the Ashes battle.
Having 10mm of grass on the surface, leading to a cascade of wickets tumbling in less than six sessions, is not a balanced duel between bat and ball.
A Varied History: The Core of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a inferior show, one that should be qualified as illegitimate, is mistaken.
The format is a rich tapestry, a long history and ongoing. At times, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball does all sorts for the pace bowlers. Other times, it spins sharply on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it bounces unevenly.
The thrillers are even more exciting owing to the time devoted during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The Real Challenge
Specific conditions are embraced more easily than others.
The debate in Melbourne was that the contest was weighted unfairly towards the bowlers. That the skilled individuals were prevented from playing their natural game.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – interpreting the conditions and adjusting appropriately. The two highest individual innings were made by acknowledged batters. One side made more mistakes than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Sheer Celebration: The Supporters' View
Go and inform the supporters who have suffered 18 winless matches that this was not entertaining.
Among the crowd of the MCG, thousands celebrated and chanted, fostering a party atmosphere in a stronghold of Australian cricket.
There was optimism as the attack surged, advantage when the top order scored quickly, and rapturous celebration when the win was confirmed.
Polar Opposites: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The venue has a history with controversial surfaces. Eight years ago, a Test there featured a pitch with all the life of a a non-event.
That match was a marathon, with limited drama and slow play. This recent match and that previous match are polar opposites of the scale – one is not more ideal, yet value can be ascribed to each.
Four Tests into the current series, it is the two-day matches that will be most remembered in the collective consciousness.
"It's not the demise of the format at all," observed a former player. "Spectators who have been privileged to see these 48 hours have been experienced some genuine drama. A unique show."
Baby Steps: A Glimmer of Hope
In the build-up to this Test, the leader spoke like a man carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
The team responded for him, restoring the smile to his face.
New faces performed with vital performances. These are small positives, not nearly enough to guarantee long-term success, but a foundation to build on.
At the very least, this Melbourne victory joins other memorable performances in similar circumstances.
As the crowd left into a beautiful night, the team assembled on the outfield to commence their own enjoyment.
Celebrate the win, boys. This victory was hard-fought.
