In a display cabinet on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium sits a vibrant pink ensemble worn by Robbie Williams. His show in front of a hundred thousand fans was hailed as a success.
Perhaps you don't like his music. You might think he is the ultimate present to music in history. Or you could adopt a middle ground, admitting that some hits are fantastic while others are poor.
The point being is that enjoyment can manifest in countless ways. Tastes vary. There is no one way to create literature or even the longest format.
The Incomparable Variety of The Long Game
Test cricket boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the playing is so dictated by external factors.
The weather, the session, the cricket ball – the factors are countless. Crucially is the playing surface.
If the long game is an artistic pursuit, the wicket is the blank slate on which the players paint their masterpiece.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test
The Boxing Day fixture between Australia and England was Test cricket cubism, the established format broken apart and reconstructed in abstract form.
It must be stated this is not a justification of the surface which resulted in a win and the second two-day Test of the Ashes battle.
Having excessive grass on the pitch, leading to 36 wickets being taken in less than two days, is not a fair contest between offense and defense.
A Diverse Legacy: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be marked with an asterisk as not a proper Test, is wide of the mark.
The format is a rich tapestry, 2,615 parts and still growing. At times, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball moves excessively for the fast men. Sometimes, it turns square on a dust bowl. At other venues, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it explodes.
The close matches are even more exciting because of the patience committed elsewhere.
Problem Solving: The True Test
Specific conditions are accepted more freely than others.
The contention in Melbourne was that the balance was skewed excessively towards the fielding side. That the best players were unable from demonstrating their skill.
This level of cricket is about adapting to challenges – interpreting the wicket and adapting effectively. The two highest individual scores were made by world-class batters. One side made more mistakes than the other, and thus lost.
Pure Elation: For Those Who Waited
Go and inform the fans who have endured 18 winless matches that this lacked spectacle.
In a corner of the MCG, a sea of people waved their flags and created an atmosphere, producing a festive mood in a heartland of national pride.
There was optimism as the bowlers surged, impetus when the top order responded, and unconditional love when the result was achieved.
Polar Opposites: The Range of Test Matches
The Melbourne has form with difficult wickets. Previously, a match there featured a strip with the excitement of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That match was a grind, with few wickets and endless boredom. The two-day game and that slow Test are extreme ends of the range – one is not more ideal, yet historical weight can be found in them.
At this stage into the ongoing battle, it is the shortest games that will live longest in the history books.
"It's not the death of Test cricket at all," observed a past champion. "Fans who have been fortunate to see these short time have been treated to some real entertainment. Different entertainment."
Baby Steps: Looking Ahead
In the lead-in to this match, the leader addressed the media like a man carrying the heavy burden on his mind.
The team protected him, restoring the positive demeanor to his persona.
Emerging talents delivered with crucial roles. These are incremental gains, certainly not enough to ensure long-term futures, but something to develop from.
At the very least, this Melbourne victory takes its place among other notable performances in meaningless games.
As the supporters departed into a beautiful night, the players congregated on the outfield to start their own enjoyment.
Savour the moment, men. This victory was hard-fought.
