Displayed inside a display cabinet on the elevated floor of the MCG sits a neon pink suit worn by the entertainer. The concert in front of a massive crowd of attendees was considered a major hit.
You might not like Robbie Williams. You might think he is the greatest gift to music the world has ever seen. Alternatively, you may hold a balanced view, conceding that some tracks are belting while others are poor.
The point being is that entertainment can take many forms. Tastes vary. There is not a single method to craft music or even five-day cricket.
The Peerless Spectrum of The Long Game
The five-day game boasts unrivalled depth. It's difficult to think of another sport where the outcome is so dependent on conditions.
The climate, the session, the red ball – the variables are numerous. Above all is the playing surface.
If the long game is a form of art, the pitch is the foundation on which the players paint their masterpiece.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test
The Boxing Day fixture between the old rivals was an abstract version of cricket, the great game taken to pieces and stuck back together in abstract form.
This is not a justification of the pitch which resulted in a victory and the second two-day Test of the Ashes battle.
Having 10mm of grass on the wicket, resulting in 36 wickets being taken in less than six sessions, is not an even battle between bat and ball.
A Varied History: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a lesser event, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is incorrect.
The format is a rich tapestry, a long history and still growing. Sometimes, as seen at the MCG, the ball behaves unpredictably for the seamers. Sometimes, it grips and turns on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is dead, other times it spits like a cobra.
The thrillers are even more exciting because of the patience committed during quieter periods.
Problem Solving: The Real Challenge
Certain variables are accepted more easily than others.
The debate in Melbourne was that the contest was skewed excessively towards the attack. That the top batters were prevented from showcasing their talents.
The format is about adapting to challenges – assessing the situation and adapting appropriately. The top two individual contributions were made by recognized players. One side made more mistakes than the other, and thus lost.
Unbridled Joy: For Those Who Waited
Attempt to convince the supporters who have endured 18 winless matches that this was not entertaining.
In one section of the ground, countless fans celebrated and chanted, fostering a carnival vibe in a stronghold of Australian cricket.
There was optimism as the fielding side dominated, advantage when the top order scored quickly, and unconditional love when the result was achieved.
Extreme Ends: The Variety of Test Matches
The MCG has form with pitch problems. Eight years ago, a match there featured a pitch with all the life of a a damp squib.
That contest was a marathon, with minimal action and interminable tedium. The two-day game and that previous match are diametrically opposed points of the spectrum – neither perfect, yet significance can be attached to both.
Four Tests into the current series, it is the two-day matches that will be most remembered in the collective consciousness.
"It's not the end of the long game at all," commented a past champion. "Fans who have been lucky enough to see these short time have been treated to some fantastic sport. An unusual spectacle."
Baby Steps: A Glimmer of Hope
In the build-up to this Test, the skipper talked like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his back.
The squad protected him, restoring the smile to his countenance.
Different players delivered with crucial roles. These are baby steps, hardly enough to ensure long-term success, but a foundation to develop from.
At the very least, this triumph is added to other notable performances in meaningless games.
As the crowd departed into a stunning sunset, the team assembled on the outfield to begin their own festivities.
Savour the moment, men. You've earned this one.
