In a glass case on the upper level of the MCG sits a neon pink suit donned by the entertainer. The concert in front of 100,024 fans was hailed as a triumph.
It's possible you enjoy Robbie Williams. You might think he is the finest offering to music known to man. You might take a reasonable stance, acknowledging that some tracks are fantastic while others are poor.
The key argument is that entertainment can be delivered diversely. Preferences differ. There is no one way to create literature or even the longest format.
The Incomparable Variety of The Test Format
Test cricket boasts peerless complexity. It is hard to think of another sport where the outcome is so dictated by the environment.
The elements, the session, the red ball – the list is endless. Most important is the wicket.
If Test cricket is a form of art, the strip is the foundation on which the cricketers craft their legacy.
A Test of Cubism: The MCG Match
The fourth Ashes Test between the old rivals was Test cricket cubism, the established format broken apart and stuck back together in a bizarre shape.
Let's be clear, this isn't a defence of the surface which resulted in a victory and the second two-day Test of the Ashes battle.
Leaving a thick layer on the pitch, resulting in a cascade of wickets being taken in less than a brief period, is not an even battle between bat and ball.
A Rich Tapestry: The Core of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a inferior show, one that should be qualified as inauthentic, is mistaken.
Test cricket is a varied portfolio, 2,615 parts and ongoing. Sometimes, like in Melbourne, the ball moves excessively for the pace bowlers. In contrast, it spins sharply on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is dead, other times it explodes.
The exciting finishes are even more exciting due to the patience committed during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The Core Skill
Specific conditions are tolerated more readily than others.
The debate in Melbourne was that the equilibrium was weighted unfairly towards the attack. That the top batters were prevented from demonstrating their skill.
This level of cricket is about adapting to challenges – reading the wicket and adjusting effectively. The top two individual contributions were made by recognized stars. One line-up committed more errors than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Sheer Celebration: The Fan Perspective
Attempt to convince the supporters who have suffered a long drought that this lacked spectacle.
Among the crowd of the MCG, a sea of people made noise and sang their songs, generating a carnival vibe in a bastion of national pride.
There was hope as the fielding side excelled, advantage when players scored quickly, and rapturous celebration when the win was confirmed.
Extreme Ends: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The Melbourne has a history with controversial surfaces. In the past, a match there featured a wicket with all the life of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That fixture was a slog, with minimal action and interminable tedium. The latest encounter and that slow Test are extreme ends of the range – both are not perfect, yet value can be attached to each.
At this stage into the Ashes contest, it is the quick finishes that will remain iconic in the history books.
"This isn't the demise of Test cricket at all," observed a past champion. "Fans who have been fortunate to see these two days have been given some real entertainment. An unusual spectacle."
Baby Steps: A Glimmer of Hope
In the build-up to this match, the skipper spoke like a man carrying the weight of the world on his mind.
The players protected him, bringing back the joy to his face.
Different players stepped up with crucial roles. These are small positives, hardly enough to secure long-term futures, but a foundation to use as a platform.
At the very least, this triumph takes its place among other notable performances in similar circumstances.
As the crowd departed into a stunning sunset, the players gathered on the outfield to commence their own celebrations.
Celebrate the win, lads. This victory was hard-fought.
