Displayed inside a glass case on the third floor of the Melbourne Cricket Ground sits a neon pink outfit donned by Robbie Williams. The concert in front of a massive crowd of attendees was considered a triumph.
Perhaps you don't like his music. Maybe you feel he is the ultimate present to music in history. Alternatively, you may hold a middle ground, conceding that some songs are belting while others are terrible.
The point being is that amusement can take many forms. Preferences differ. There is no one way to create art or even the longest format.
The Unrivalled Depth of Test Cricket
The traditional format boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the contest is so reliant upon external factors.
The climate, the session, the ball – the factors are countless. Crucially is the playing surface.
If the format is an artistic pursuit, the pitch is the foundation on which the players create their art.
A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test
The Boxing Day fixture between Australia and England was the game deconstructed, the established format taken to pieces and reassembled in abstract form.
It must be stated this is not a justification of the wicket which yielded a triumph and the another sub-three-day finish of the contest.
Allowing 10mm of grass on the pitch, resulting in a cascade of wickets falling in less than a brief period, is not a balanced duel between batter and bowler.
A Varied History: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a inferior show, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is incorrect.
The long game is a rich tapestry, a long history and counting. At times, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball behaves unpredictably for the fast men. Sometimes, it grips and turns on a spinning track. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.
The close matches are even more exciting owing to the time devoted in other matches.
Problem Solving: The True Test
Specific conditions are embraced more freely than others.
The argument in during the match was that the contest was skewed excessively towards the attack. That the skilled individuals were hindered from demonstrating their skill.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – interpreting the conditions and responding accordingly. The two highest individual contributions were made by recognized players. One side made more mistakes than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Unbridled Joy: For Those Who Waited
Try telling the fans who have experienced years of defeat that this was not entertaining.
In one section of the ground, a sea of people waved their flags and chanted, fostering a party atmosphere in a heartland of sport.
There was optimism as the fielding side surged, impetus when the top order fought back, and unconditional love when the win was achieved.
Contrasting Examples: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The venue has previous experience with controversial surfaces. Eight years ago, a game there featured a wicket with the excitement of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That contest was a marathon, with limited drama and slow play. The two-day game and that previous match are extreme ends of the spectrum – neither the standard, yet historical weight can be attached to them.
Deep into the series into the ongoing battle, it is the shortest games that will remain iconic in the history books.
"Far from being the end of Test cricket at all," commented a past champion. "The people who have been fortunate to see these short time have been treated to some genuine drama. An unusual spectacle."
Small Victories: Building for the Future
In the build-up to this Test, the captain spoke like a man carrying the heavy burden on his mind.
The squad delivered for him, reinstating the joy to his countenance.
New faces stepped up with key contributions. These are small positives, not nearly enough to guarantee long-term success, but a starting point to develop from.
Ultimately, this Melbourne victory takes its place among other notable performances in dead rubbers.
As the supporters left into a stunning sunset, the team congregated on the outfield to begin their own celebrations.
Savour the moment, lads. This victory was hard-fought.
