In a glass case on the elevated floor of the MCG rests a vibrant pink ensemble donned by Robbie Williams. The performance in front of a massive crowd of fans was considered a success.
You might not enjoy the performer. Maybe you feel he is the greatest gift to music in history. You might take a reasonable stance, conceding that some songs are excellent while others are poor.
The point being is that amusement can take many forms. Preferences differ. There is not a single method to create music or even the longest format.
The Peerless Spectrum of Test Cricket
The traditional format boasts peerless complexity. It is hard to think of another sport where the outcome is so dependent on external factors.
The climate, the session, the ball – the list is endless. Above all is the pitch.
If the long game is art, the pitch is the foundation on which the athletes paint their masterpiece.
A Test of Cubism: The Melbourne Spectacle
The Boxing Day fixture between the old rivals was an abstract version of cricket, the established format taken to pieces and reconstructed in abstract form.
It must be stated this is not a endorsement of the wicket which resulted in a victory and the second two-day Test of the contest.
Allowing a thick layer on the wicket, resulting in a cascade of wickets tumbling in less than two days, is not an even battle between batter and bowler.
A Diverse Legacy: The Core of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a inferior show, one that should be qualified as illegitimate, is mistaken.
The format is a rich tapestry, 2,615 parts and counting. On occasion, as seen at the MCG, the cricket ball does all sorts for the fast men. Other times, it spins sharply on a dust bowl. At other venues, the pitch is dead, other times it bounces unevenly.
The thrillers are particularly captivating owing to the patience committed during quieter periods.
Adaptation: The Real Challenge
Some factors are tolerated more freely than others.
The argument in during the match was that the balance was weighted unfairly towards the attack. That the best players were prevented from playing their natural game.
Test cricket is about adapting to challenges – interpreting the situation and adjusting effectively. The top two individual contributions were made by world-class stars. One side committed more errors than the other, and thus lost.
Unbridled Joy: For Those Who Waited
Attempt to convince the supporters who have experienced years of defeat that this lacked spectacle.
In a corner of the ground, a sea of people made noise and sang their songs, producing a festive mood in a bastion of national pride.
There was belief as the fielding side dominated, momentum when players fought back, and unconditional love when the victory was achieved.
Polar Opposites: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The MCG has previous experience with difficult wickets. Eight years ago, a match there featured a wicket with the character of a a damp squib.
That contest was a slog, with minimal action and slow play. The two-day game and that slow Test are extreme ends of the range – neither perfect, yet value can be found in each.
At this stage into the current series, it is the shortest games that will be most remembered in the history books.
"It's not the end of the long game at all," commented a past champion. "Fans who have been lucky enough to see these 48 hours have been treated to some fantastic sport. An unusual spectacle."
Baby Steps: Building for the Future
In the lead-in to this Test, the skipper addressed the media like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his shoulders.
The squad delivered for him, bringing back the positive demeanor to his face.
Emerging talents performed with vital performances. These are incremental gains, hardly enough to guarantee long-term success, but something to develop from.
At the very least, this MCG win joins other historic performances in similar circumstances.
As the fans left into a beautiful night, the team assembled on the field to start their own festivities.
Savour the moment, lads. You've earned this one.
