In a glass case on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium sits a vibrant pink outfit donned by Robbie Williams. The show in front of 100,024 attendees was hailed as a triumph.
You might not appreciate his music. You might think he is the ultimate present to music the world has ever seen. You might take a middle ground, acknowledging that some tracks are belting while others are awful.
The point being is that enjoyment can take many forms. You like what you like. There is no one way to create literature or even the longest format.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Long Game
The five-day game boasts unrivalled depth. It's difficult to think of another sport where the playing is so dictated by the environment.
The elements, the session, the red ball – the list is endless. Most important is the pitch.
If the format is art, the strip is the blank slate on which the cricketers create their art.
An Abstract Contest: The Melbourne Spectacle
The fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England was the game deconstructed, the traditional sport broken apart and reconstructed in an unusual manner.
It must be stated this is not a justification of the pitch which resulted in a triumph and the another sub-three-day finish of the contest.
Allowing excessive grass on the surface, causing numerous dismissals being taken in less than two days, is not a fair contest between batter and bowler.
A Diverse Legacy: The Core of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a lesser event, one that should be qualified as illegitimate, is incorrect.
The long game is a varied portfolio, over two thousand matches and counting. At times, as witnessed recently, the ball moves excessively for the pace bowlers. Sometimes, it grips and turns on a dust bowl. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it explodes.
The thrillers are particularly captivating owing to the patience made during quieter periods.
Problem Solving: The Real Challenge
Specific conditions are accepted more readily than others.
The contention in at the MCG was that the equilibrium was tipped too far towards the attack. That the top batters were prevented from showcasing their talents.
The format is about adapting to challenges – interpreting the wicket and responding accordingly. The two highest individual innings were made by acknowledged batters. One side made more mistakes than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Unbridled Joy: The Supporters' View
Attempt to convince the supporters who have suffered 18 winless matches that this wasn't compelling.
In a corner of the stadium, countless fans waved their flags and created an atmosphere, generating a carnival vibe in a stronghold of national pride.
There was optimism as the fielding side dominated, impetus when players scored quickly, and pure joy when the win was achieved.
Polar Opposites: The Variety of Test Matches
The MCG has a history with controversial surfaces. Eight years ago, a match there featured a pitch with all the life of a a non-event.
That fixture was a slog, with few wickets and endless boredom. The latest encounter and that slow Test are polar opposites of the scale – both are not perfect, yet value can be ascribed to both.
Four Tests into the current series, it is the two-day matches that will live longest in the collective consciousness.
"This isn't the end of Test cricket at all," said a former player. "Fans who have been privileged to see these 48 hours have been given some real entertainment. Different entertainment."
Signs of Progress: A Glimmer of Hope
In the lead-in to this Test, the captain talked like a man carrying the weight of the world on his mind.
The squad delivered for him, restoring the positive demeanor to his countenance.
Emerging talents stepped up with crucial roles. These are incremental gains, hardly enough to ensure long-term stability, but a foundation to build on.
Ultimately, this triumph is added to other notable performances in similar circumstances.
As the fans left into a glorious Melbourne evening, the players gathered on the outfield to commence their own enjoyment.
Savour the moment, men. This victory was hard-fought.
