Within a showcase on the upper level of the MCG is housed a electric pink suit performed in by Robbie Williams. His show in front of 100,024 spectators was seen as a triumph.
Perhaps you don't enjoy the performer. Perhaps you believe he is the finest offering to music in history. You might take a middle ground, acknowledging that some hits are excellent while others are awful.
The point being is that enjoyment can manifest in countless ways. You like what you like. There is not a single method to produce art or even Test cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Test Format
The traditional format boasts peerless complexity. It's difficult to think of another sport where the playing is so dictated by conditions.
The climate, the time of day, the red ball – the list is endless. Above all is the pitch.
If Test cricket is a form of art, the pitch is the blank slate on which the players create their art.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test
The recent Melbourne match between the old rivals was Test cricket cubism, the traditional sport dismantled and reconstructed in a bizarre shape.
It must be stated this is not a endorsement of the wicket which resulted in a win and the another short match of the series.
Leaving 10mm of grass on the wicket, causing numerous dismissals falling in less than a brief period, is not a fair contest between offense and defense.
A Varied History: The Core of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a lesser event, one that should be qualified as inauthentic, is incorrect.
The long game is a varied portfolio, 2,615 parts and counting. At times, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball does all sorts for the pace bowlers. In contrast, it grips and turns on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it explodes.
The thrillers are even more exciting because of the investment committed in other matches.
Problem Solving: The True Test
Certain variables are embraced more easily than others.
The argument in during the match was that the contest was weighted unfairly towards the bowlers. That the skilled individuals were unable from showcasing their talents.
The format is about adapting to challenges – assessing the wicket and responding accordingly. The best individual scores were made by world-class players. One side committed more errors than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Sheer Celebration: The Supporters' View
Go and inform the supporters who have endured a long drought that this was not entertaining.
In a corner of the ground, a sea of people made noise and sang their songs, generating a carnival vibe in a stronghold of national pride.
There was belief as the fielding side dominated, advantage when the top order fought back, and unconditional love when the result was secured.
Contrasting Examples: The Variety of Test Matches
The MCG has form with difficult wickets. In the past, a Test there featured a pitch with the character of a a damp squib.
That match was a marathon, with minimal action and endless boredom. The two-day game and that slow Test are polar opposites of the scale – both are not the standard, yet value can be ascribed to both.
Four Tests into the current series, it is the two-day matches that will remain iconic in the history books.
"This isn't the demise of Test cricket at all," said a past champion. "The people who have been privileged to see these short time have been treated to some real entertainment. A unique show."
Baby Steps: Building for the Future
In the preparation to this match, the skipper talked like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his mind.
The squad delivered for him, restoring the positive demeanor to his persona.
New faces delivered with key contributions. These are small positives, hardly enough to guarantee long-term futures, but a foundation to use as a platform.
Ultimately, this MCG win joins other memorable performances in meaningless games.
As the fans slipped away into a glorious Melbourne evening, the squad gathered on the field to start their own festivities.
Savour the moment, men. You've earned this one.
