Displayed inside a showcase on the elevated floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium rests a electric pink outfit worn by the pop star. The performance in front of 100,024 attendees was seen as a major hit.
It's possible you enjoy Robbie Williams. You might think he is the greatest gift to music known to man. You might take a balanced view, admitting that some hits are belting while others are awful.
The key argument is that enjoyment can manifest in countless ways. Tastes vary. There is no universal formula to produce art or even Test cricket.
The Peerless Spectrum of The Long Game
The five-day game boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the outcome is so dependent on external factors.
The elements, the hour of play, the ball – the factors are countless. Above all is the playing surface.
If the long game is art, the pitch is the canvas on which the athletes paint their masterpiece.
An Abstract Contest: The MCG Match
The Boxing Day fixture between the two sides was the game deconstructed, the traditional sport taken to pieces and reassembled in an unusual manner.
Let's be clear, this isn't a justification of the pitch which produced a victory and the another short match of the contest.
Having 10mm of grass on the surface, leading to 36 wickets falling in less than two days, is not a fair contest between bat and ball.
A Rich Tapestry: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a lesser event, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is wide of the mark.
The long game is a rich tapestry, a long history and ongoing. Sometimes, as seen at the MCG, the ball moves excessively for the seamers. Other times, it turns square on a spinning track. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it spits like a cobra.
The exciting finishes are particularly captivating because of the patience devoted during quieter periods.
Problem Solving: The Real Challenge
Specific conditions are embraced more freely than others.
The argument in during the match was that the contest was weighted unfairly towards the attack. That the skilled individuals were prevented from showcasing their talents.
The format is about problem solving – assessing the situation and adjusting effectively. The best individual contributions were made by recognized stars. One side made more mistakes than the other, and thus were defeated.
Pure Elation: The Fan Perspective
Try telling the supporters who have endured a long drought that this was not entertaining.
In one section of the MCG, a sea of people waved their flags and sang their songs, generating a party atmosphere in a stronghold of national pride.
There was belief as the bowlers excelled, advantage when batters scored quickly, and rapturous celebration when the result was confirmed.
Contrasting Examples: The Variety of Test Matches
The venue has previous experience with pitch problems. Previously, a Test there featured a wicket with all the life of a a damp squib.
That fixture was a grind, with few wickets and endless boredom. The latest encounter and that drawn affair are diametrically opposed points of the range – one is not more the standard, yet significance can be found in each.
At this stage into the current series, it is the two-day matches that will be most remembered in the history books.
"Far from being the end of the long game at all," commented a former player. "The people who have been lucky enough to see these two days have been treated to some real entertainment. A unique show."
Baby Steps: Building for the Future
In the build-up to this match, the leader addressed the media like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his back.
The players protected him, bringing back the positive demeanor to his countenance.
New faces performed with key contributions. These are small positives, hardly enough to ensure long-term stability, but a foundation to build on.
At the very least, this triumph is added to other memorable performances in meaningless games.
As the fans slipped away into a stunning sunset, the players assembled on the outfield to begin their own festivities.
Celebrate the win, boys. You've earned this one.
