Displayed inside a glass case on the elevated floor of the MCG is housed a vibrant pink ensemble worn by Robbie Williams. The performance in front of a hundred thousand fans was hailed as a success.
It's possible you like the performer. Perhaps you believe he is the ultimate present to music in history. You might take a middle ground, acknowledging that some songs are fantastic while others are poor.
The key argument is that enjoyment can be delivered diversely. You like what you like. There is no universal formula to craft art or even the longest format.
The Peerless Spectrum of The Test Format
The traditional format boasts peerless complexity. It's difficult to think of another sport where the outcome is so reliant upon external factors.
The climate, the session, the ball – the factors are countless. Most important is the wicket.
If the long game is a form of art, the pitch is the canvas on which the athletes craft their legacy.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test
The fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England was the game deconstructed, the established format taken to pieces and stuck back together in an unusual manner.
Let's be clear, this isn't a endorsement of the pitch which resulted in a triumph and the second two-day Test of the contest.
Allowing 10mm of grass on the surface, leading to 36 wickets falling in less than six sessions, is not a balanced duel between bat and ball.
A Varied History: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be qualified as inauthentic, is wide of the mark.
Test cricket is a rich tapestry, over two thousand matches and counting. At times, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball moves excessively for the seamers. Sometimes, it spins sharply on a spinning track. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.
The thrillers are particularly captivating because of the patience made elsewhere.
Adjustment: The True Test
Some factors are accepted more easily than others.
The contention in Melbourne was that the contest was weighted unfairly towards the attack. That the top batters were prevented from showcasing their talents.
The format is about finding solutions – assessing the wicket and responding appropriately. The two highest individual innings were made by recognized stars. One team committed more errors than the other, and thus were defeated.
Pure Elation: The Supporters' View
Try telling the devotees who have experienced years of defeat that this wasn't compelling.
In a corner of the ground, a sea of people made noise and created an atmosphere, fostering a festive mood in a heartland of sport.
There was optimism as the attack surged, advantage when the top order responded, and unconditional love when the win was secured.
Extreme Ends: The Range of Test Matches
The MCG has previous experience with controversial surfaces. Previously, a match there featured a wicket with the excitement of a a damp squib.
That contest was a slog, with few wickets and endless boredom. The two-day game and that previous match are extreme ends of the scale – both are not perfect, yet significance can be attached to each.
Deep into the series into the Ashes contest, it is the quick finishes that will remain iconic in the history books.
"It's not the death of the long game at all," commented a past champion. "The people who have been fortunate to see these short time have been given some genuine drama. An unusual spectacle."
Signs of Progress: A Glimmer of Hope
In the build-up to this match, the skipper addressed the media like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his back.
The players responded for him, bringing back the joy to his face.
Emerging talents stepped up with key contributions. These are small positives, hardly enough to guarantee long-term success, but something to use as a platform.
Ultimately, this MCG win is added to other notable performances in dead rubbers.
As the supporters departed into a stunning sunset, the players assembled on the turf to commence their own enjoyment.
Enjoy the drink, lads. You've earned this one.
