In a display cabinet on the elevated floor of the MCG rests a electric pink outfit donned by Robbie Williams. His performance in front of a massive crowd of fans was considered a success.
You might not like his music. Perhaps you believe he is the greatest gift to music known to man. Or you could adopt a middle ground, conceding that some songs are fantastic while others are poor.
The point being is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. Preferences differ. There is no universal formula to craft literature or even Test cricket.
The Peerless Spectrum of The Test Format
Test cricket boasts incomparable variety. It is hard to think of another sport where the contest is so dependent on external factors.
The climate, the session, the red ball – the list is endless. Most important is the wicket.
If the format is art, the pitch is the canvas on which the athletes create their art.
An Abstract Contest: The Fourth Test
The Boxing Day fixture between the old rivals was Test cricket cubism, the traditional sport broken apart and reassembled in abstract form.
It must be stated this is not a justification of the surface which yielded a victory and the another sub-three-day finish of the series.
Having excessive grass on the pitch, resulting in numerous dismissals falling in less than six sessions, is not a balanced duel between offense and defense.
A Rich Tapestry: The Core of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a inferior show, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is incorrect.
Test cricket is a rich tapestry, a long history and still growing. On occasion, as seen at the MCG, the ball behaves unpredictably for the seamers. In contrast, it grips and turns on a dust bowl. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.
The thrillers are even more exciting due to the time made during quieter periods.
Adaptation: The Real Challenge
Specific conditions are tolerated more freely than others.
The argument in during the match was that the balance was tipped too far towards the bowlers. That the top batters were hindered from demonstrating their skill.
This level of cricket is about finding solutions – reading the situation and adjusting accordingly. The top two individual innings were made by world-class batters. One line-up committed more errors than the other, and thus lost.
Unbridled Joy: The Supporters' View
Attempt to convince the devotees who have endured 18 winless matches that this lacked spectacle.
In one section of the stadium, a sea of people made noise and sang their songs, producing a festive mood in a bastion of national pride.
There was belief as the fielding side excelled, impetus when batters scored quickly, and unconditional love when the win was confirmed.
Polar Opposites: The Range of Test Matches
The venue has previous experience with pitch problems. Previously, a game there featured a pitch with the excitement of a a non-event.
That fixture was a marathon, with minimal action and endless boredom. This recent match and that slow Test are polar opposites of the spectrum – one is not more perfect, yet value can be attached to both.
Four Tests into the current series, it is the two-day matches that will remain iconic in the history books.
"It's not the death of the format at all," said a former player. "Fans who have been fortunate to see these two days have been given some genuine drama. Different entertainment."
Small Victories: A Glimmer of Hope
In the build-up to this match, the skipper spoke like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his shoulders.
The squad protected him, restoring the smile to his persona.
New faces delivered with vital performances. These are incremental gains, not nearly enough to guarantee long-term stability, but a foundation to build on.
At the very least, this triumph is added to other notable performances in similar circumstances.
As the crowd slipped away into a beautiful night, the team assembled on the turf to begin their own enjoyment.
Savour the moment, boys. You've earned this one.
