In a glass case on the upper level of the MCG is housed a neon pink ensemble worn by the entertainer. The concert in front of a massive crowd of spectators was hailed as a major hit.
You might not like Robbie Williams. You might think he is the ultimate present to music known to man. You might take a middle ground, acknowledging that some tracks are excellent while others are poor.
The point being is that enjoyment can take many forms. You like what you like. There is no universal formula to craft music or even Test cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of Test Cricket
The traditional format boasts peerless complexity. It's difficult to think of another sport where the outcome is so dependent on conditions.
The weather, the time of day, the red ball – the factors are countless. Crucially is the playing surface.
If the format is a form of art, the wicket is the blank slate on which the cricketers craft their legacy.
A Test of Cubism: The Melbourne Spectacle
The Boxing Day fixture between Australia and England was an abstract version of cricket, the great game broken apart and stuck back together in abstract form.
This is not a defence of the surface which produced a win and the another sub-three-day finish of the series.
Allowing a thick layer on the pitch, resulting in numerous dismissals falling in less than a brief period, is not a balanced duel between bat and ball.
A Varied History: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a inferior show, one that should be qualified as inauthentic, is incorrect.
Test cricket is a rich tapestry, 2,615 parts and still growing. On occasion, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball behaves unpredictably for the seamers. Other times, it spins sharply on a spinning track. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it spits like a cobra.
The exciting finishes are even more exciting because of the time devoted elsewhere.
Problem Solving: The Real Challenge
Some factors are tolerated more freely than others.
The contention in during the match was that the contest was skewed excessively towards the fielding side. That the skilled individuals were hindered from demonstrating their skill.
The format is about finding solutions – interpreting the situation and adjusting appropriately. The two highest individual innings were made by world-class batters. One team was less disciplined than the other, and thus were defeated.
Unbridled Joy: For Those Who Waited
Attempt to convince the fans who have endured years of defeat that this wasn't compelling.
In one section of the ground, countless fans celebrated and created an atmosphere, generating a party atmosphere in a heartland of national pride.
There was belief as the bowlers dominated, advantage when players responded, and unconditional love when the win was achieved.
Polar Opposites: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The MCG has a history with pitch problems. Eight years ago, a game there featured a wicket with the excitement of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That fixture was a grind, with few wickets and endless boredom. This recent match and that drawn affair are polar opposites of the spectrum – both are not perfect, yet significance can be ascribed to both.
Deep into the series into the Ashes contest, it is the shortest games that will remain iconic in the collective consciousness.
"Far from being the demise of Test cricket at all," observed a former player. "Spectators who have been lucky enough to see these two days have been treated to some fantastic sport. Different entertainment."
Signs of Progress: Looking Ahead
In the build-up to this match, the leader spoke like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his back.
The players delivered for him, bringing back the positive demeanor to his countenance.
New faces delivered with crucial roles. These are incremental gains, not nearly enough to ensure long-term success, but something to develop from.
Ultimately, this Melbourne victory is added to other notable performances in meaningless games.
As the crowd departed into a beautiful night, the players gathered on the field to start their own festivities.
Enjoy the drink, lads. You've earned this one.
