In a display cabinet on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium sits a vibrant pink ensemble worn by the entertainer. His show in front of a massive crowd of attendees was hailed as a success.
It's possible you like Robbie Williams. Maybe you feel he is the greatest gift to music in history. Or you could adopt a middle ground, admitting that some tracks are belting while others are terrible.
The key argument is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. You like what you like. There is no universal formula to craft music or even the longest format.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Test Format
Test cricket boasts incomparable variety. It's difficult to think of another sport where the outcome is so dependent on conditions.
The elements, the session, the ball – the variables are numerous. Crucially is the pitch.
If the long game is a form of art, the pitch is the blank slate on which the cricketers create their art.
An Abstract Contest: The Fourth Test
The fourth Ashes Test between the old rivals was Test cricket cubism, the established format taken to pieces and reassembled in abstract form.
It must be stated this is not a justification of the wicket which produced a triumph and the another short match of the series.
Having excessive grass on the pitch, resulting in numerous dismissals tumbling in less than two days, is not a balanced duel between offense and defense.
A Rich Tapestry: The Core of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a inferior show, one that should be qualified as illegitimate, is incorrect.
The format is a rich tapestry, 2,615 parts and ongoing. On occasion, as seen at the MCG, the cricket ball does all sorts for the fast men. Other times, it grips and turns on a dust bowl. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it explodes.
The thrillers are particularly captivating due to the time committed during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The True Test
Certain variables are accepted more freely than others.
The contention in at the MCG was that the balance was weighted unfairly towards the fielding side. That the top batters were hindered from demonstrating their skill.
Test cricket is about problem solving – assessing the situation and adapting appropriately. The two highest individual innings were made by acknowledged batters. One team committed more errors than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Pure Elation: For Those Who Waited
Attempt to convince the devotees who have endured a long drought that this wasn't compelling.
Among the crowd of the stadium, thousands waved their flags and chanted, producing a carnival vibe in a heartland of sport.
There was optimism as the bowlers dominated, momentum when the top order fought back, and pure joy when the result was confirmed.
Polar Opposites: The Range of Test Matches
The Melbourne has a history with pitch problems. Previously, a Test there featured a pitch with the character of a a non-event.
That fixture was a marathon, with few wickets and interminable tedium. The two-day game and that previous match are diametrically opposed points of the spectrum – one is not more ideal, yet value can be ascribed to them.
At this stage into the ongoing battle, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the history books.
"Far from being the demise of the long game at all," said a former player. "The people who have been fortunate to see these short time have been treated to some genuine drama. A unique show."
Signs of Progress: Looking Ahead
In the lead-in to this match, the captain talked like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his mind.
The squad protected him, reinstating the smile to his face.
Emerging talents performed with vital performances. These are small positives, certainly not enough to ensure long-term futures, but a foundation to build on.
In the end, this Melbourne victory takes its place among other historic performances in dead rubbers.
As the fans left into a beautiful night, the squad gathered on the outfield to commence their own festivities.
Enjoy the drink, boys. You've earned this one.
