Displayed inside a showcase on the upper level of the MCG sits a vibrant pink ensemble worn by the pop star. His concert in front of a massive crowd of attendees was seen as a success.
It's possible you like Robbie Williams. You might think he is the ultimate present to music known to man. You might take a reasonable stance, admitting that some songs are belting while others are terrible.
The central idea is that entertainment can be delivered diversely. Preferences differ. There is no universal formula to produce music or even the longest format.
The Incomparable Variety of The Test Format
The traditional format boasts peerless complexity. It is hard to think of another sport where the outcome is so dependent on the environment.
The weather, the session, the ball – the list is endless. Above all is the wicket.
If Test cricket is an artistic pursuit, the pitch is the blank slate on which the athletes create their art.
An Abstract Contest: The Fourth Test
The fourth Ashes Test between the two sides was the game deconstructed, the established format broken apart and reassembled in an unusual manner.
This is not a justification of the wicket which produced a triumph and the second two-day Test of the Ashes battle.
Allowing 10mm of grass on the surface, resulting in a cascade of wickets tumbling in less than six sessions, is not an even battle between bat and ball.
A Varied History: The Core of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a lesser event, one that should be qualified as illegitimate, is incorrect.
Test cricket is a rich tapestry, a long history and still growing. At times, as witnessed recently, the ball behaves unpredictably for the fast men. Other times, it spins sharply on a dust bowl. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it spits like a cobra.
The thrillers are particularly captivating because of the investment devoted during quieter periods.
Problem Solving: The True Test
Certain variables are embraced more readily than others.
The debate in Melbourne was that the contest was tipped too far towards the fielding side. That the best players were prevented from showcasing their talents.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – assessing the situation and adjusting effectively. The top two individual scores were made by world-class players. One line-up was less disciplined than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Pure Elation: The Supporters' View
Go and inform the fans who have experienced 18 winless matches that this wasn't compelling.
In a corner of the stadium, a sea of people celebrated and chanted, generating a festive mood in a bastion of sport.
There was belief as the bowlers dominated, advantage when players scored quickly, and rapturous celebration when the victory was secured.
Polar Opposites: The Variety of Test Matches
The Melbourne has previous experience with difficult wickets. Eight years ago, a game there featured a strip with the character of a a non-event.
That match was a marathon, with minimal action and interminable tedium. This recent match and that slow Test are extreme ends of the scale – neither perfect, yet historical weight can be attached to each.
Deep into the series into the Ashes contest, it is the two-day matches that will remain iconic in the history books.
"It's not the demise of the long game at all," commented a former player. "Spectators who have been lucky enough to see these short time have been given some fantastic sport. Different entertainment."
Signs of Progress: A Glimmer of Hope
In the build-up to this match, the captain addressed the media like a man carrying the heavy burden on his shoulders.
The players protected him, reinstating the smile to his persona.
Different players performed with vital performances. These are incremental gains, not nearly enough to guarantee long-term success, but something to use as a platform.
Ultimately, this triumph takes its place among other memorable performances in similar circumstances.
As the fans departed into a stunning sunset, the players gathered on the outfield to begin their own enjoyment.
Savour the moment, lads. It's well deserved.
