In a glass case on the upper level of the Melbourne Cricket Ground is housed a vibrant pink ensemble worn by Robbie Williams. The performance in front of a massive crowd of fans was seen as a major hit.
Perhaps you don't appreciate Robbie Williams. You might think he is the ultimate present to music known to man. You might take a middle ground, acknowledging that some tracks are fantastic while others are poor.
The central idea is that enjoyment can manifest in countless ways. Preferences differ. There is no universal formula to produce music or even five-day cricket.
The Peerless Spectrum of Test Cricket
Test cricket boasts incomparable variety. It is hard to think of another sport where the playing is so dependent on the environment.
The weather, the session, the ball – the factors are countless. Crucially is the playing surface.
If the format is a form of art, the pitch is the canvas on which the cricketers create their art.
A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test
The Boxing Day fixture between the old rivals was Test cricket cubism, the established format broken apart and reassembled in an unusual manner.
It must be stated this is not a defence of the pitch which produced a victory and the another short match of the contest.
Leaving a thick layer on the pitch, leading to numerous dismissals falling in less than two days, is not a balanced duel between bat and ball.
A Diverse Legacy: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a inferior show, one that should be qualified as not a proper Test, is incorrect.
The long game is a diverse canvas, a long history and ongoing. At times, as witnessed recently, the ball moves excessively for the pace bowlers. In contrast, it turns square on a dust bowl. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.
The exciting finishes are particularly captivating because of the investment devoted during quieter periods.
Problem Solving: The Core Skill
Some factors are accepted more freely than others.
The argument in at the MCG was that the balance was tipped too far towards the fielding side. That the top batters were unable from showcasing their talents.
Test cricket is about adapting to challenges – interpreting the situation and adapting accordingly. The top two individual innings were made by recognized batters. One line-up made more mistakes than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Unbridled Joy: For Those Who Waited
Try telling the devotees who have suffered years of defeat that this was not entertaining.
In a corner of the stadium, a sea of people made noise and created an atmosphere, producing a carnival vibe in a heartland of national pride.
There was hope as the fielding side surged, momentum when the top order scored quickly, and pure joy when the win was confirmed.
Polar Opposites: The Variety of Test Matches
The MCG has form with pitch problems. Previously, a game there featured a strip with the character of a a damp squib.
That contest was a slog, with minimal action and endless boredom. The latest encounter and that slow Test are diametrically opposed points of the spectrum – neither ideal, yet value can be attached to each.
Deep into the series into the ongoing battle, it is the quick finishes that will remain iconic in the memory.
"It's not the demise of the long game at all," commented a former player. "Spectators who have been privileged to see these two days have been treated to some real entertainment. A unique show."
Signs of Progress: Building for the Future
In the lead-in to this Test, the skipper addressed the media like a man carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
The squad protected him, restoring the positive demeanor to his persona.
Emerging talents stepped up with vital performances. These are small positives, hardly enough to guarantee long-term futures, but a starting point to build on.
In the end, this Melbourne victory takes its place among other notable performances in meaningless games.
As the supporters left into a beautiful night, the squad gathered on the outfield to commence their own festivities.
Savour the moment, lads. You've earned this one.
