Within a glass case on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium sits a electric pink outfit worn by the pop star. The concert in front of a hundred thousand fans was considered a success.
You might not enjoy Robbie Williams. Maybe you feel he is the ultimate present to music the world has ever seen. Or you could adopt a balanced view, conceding that some songs are excellent while others are poor.
The key argument is that entertainment can be delivered diversely. You like what you like. There is not a single method to produce art or even five-day cricket.
The Peerless Spectrum of Test Cricket
The traditional format boasts peerless complexity. It is hard to think of another sport where the contest is so reliant upon external factors.
The weather, the session, the cricket ball – the factors are countless. Most important is the wicket.
If Test cricket is a form of art, the wicket is the foundation on which the cricketers craft their legacy.
A Test of Cubism: The Melbourne Spectacle
The Boxing Day fixture between Australia and England was an abstract version of cricket, the traditional sport dismantled and stuck back together in a bizarre shape.
This is not a justification of the pitch which produced a victory and the second two-day Test of the contest.
Leaving 10mm of grass on the pitch, causing 36 wickets falling in less than a brief period, is not an even battle between batter and bowler.
A Varied History: The Core of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a inferior show, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is wide of the mark.
The long game is a varied portfolio, a long history and ongoing. At times, as seen at the MCG, the ball moves excessively for the seamers. In contrast, it spins sharply on a dust bowl. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it spits like a cobra.
The exciting finishes are even more exciting because of the time devoted elsewhere.
Problem Solving: The Core Skill
Certain variables are embraced more easily than others.
The debate in at the MCG was that the equilibrium was skewed excessively towards the fielding side. That the best players were hindered from showcasing their talents.
This level of cricket is about adapting to challenges – assessing the conditions and adapting appropriately. The top two individual contributions were made by recognized stars. One line-up committed more errors than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Unbridled Joy: The Fan Perspective
Try telling the devotees who have suffered years of defeat that this wasn't compelling.
Among the crowd of the MCG, countless fans celebrated and sang their songs, generating a party atmosphere in a heartland of sport.
There was belief as the attack surged, advantage when the top order fought back, and rapturous celebration when the win was confirmed.
Extreme Ends: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The venue has a history with difficult wickets. Previously, a Test there featured a strip with the character of a a non-event.
That fixture was a slog, with few wickets and slow play. The latest encounter and that previous match are polar opposites of the spectrum – neither ideal, yet historical weight can be found in them.
At this stage into the ongoing battle, it is the two-day matches that will remain iconic in the collective consciousness.
"It's not the end of the long game at all," said a veteran. "The people who have been privileged to see these 48 hours have been treated to some real entertainment. A unique show."
Signs of Progress: A Glimmer of Hope
In the preparation to this Test, the skipper addressed the media like a man carrying the heavy burden on his shoulders.
The team responded for him, reinstating the smile to his face.
New faces stepped up with vital performances. These are small positives, not nearly enough to ensure long-term stability, but a starting point to use as a platform.
Ultimately, this triumph joins other historic performances in dead rubbers.
As the supporters departed into a stunning sunset, the team congregated on the turf to commence their own enjoyment.
Enjoy the drink, men. You've earned this one.
