In a display cabinet on the third floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium is housed a neon pink suit donned by Robbie Williams. His show in front of a massive crowd of spectators was hailed as a major hit.
Perhaps you don't like his music. You might think he is the greatest gift to music the world has ever seen. You might take a middle ground, acknowledging that some tracks are excellent while others are poor.
The point being is that enjoyment can manifest in countless ways. Tastes vary. There is no one way to create literature or even Test cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Test Format
The five-day game boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the contest is so reliant upon the environment.
The elements, the session, the ball – the variables are numerous. Crucially is the pitch.
If the long game is a form of art, the wicket is the canvas on which the cricketers craft their legacy.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Melbourne Spectacle
The fourth Ashes Test between the old rivals was the game deconstructed, the established format taken to pieces and reconstructed in abstract form.
Let's be clear, this isn't a justification of the wicket which yielded a win and the another sub-three-day finish of the Ashes battle.
Having excessive grass on the pitch, leading to a cascade of wickets falling in less than six sessions, is not a balanced duel between batter and bowler.
A Rich Tapestry: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be qualified as not a proper Test, is incorrect.
The format is a varied portfolio, over two thousand matches and still growing. On occasion, like in Melbourne, the ball does all sorts for the pace bowlers. Other times, it turns square on a dry surface. Sometimes, 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.
Adaptation: The Real Challenge
Certain variables are embraced more freely than others.
The argument in at the MCG was that the balance was weighted unfairly towards the fielding side. That the best players were hindered from showcasing their talents.
This level of cricket is about finding solutions – interpreting the situation and adapting effectively. The top two individual innings were made by recognized players. One side committed more errors than the other, and thus were defeated.
Unbridled Joy: The Fan Perspective
Try telling the fans who have suffered a long drought that this lacked spectacle.
In one section of the stadium, a sea of people made noise and created an atmosphere, producing a party atmosphere in a heartland of Australian cricket.
There was belief as the bowlers dominated, advantage when the top order scored quickly, and unconditional love when the victory was achieved.
Extreme Ends: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The MCG has form with difficult wickets. Previously, a game there featured a pitch with the character of a a damp squib.
That contest was a grind, with minimal action and endless boredom. This recent match and that slow Test are extreme ends of the range – one is not more ideal, yet significance can be ascribed to each.
Four Tests into the current series, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the collective consciousness.
"This isn't the end of the format at all," said a veteran. "Spectators who have been lucky enough to see these short time have been treated to some fantastic sport. Different entertainment."
Small Victories: A Glimmer of Hope
In the build-up to this Test, the skipper spoke like a man carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
The squad protected him, restoring the smile to his face.
Different players delivered with vital performances. These are baby steps, certainly not enough to secure long-term futures, but a starting point to build on.
In the end, this triumph joins other historic performances in similar circumstances.
As the supporters departed into a beautiful night, the players congregated on the field to commence their own festivities.
Savour the moment, boys. This victory was hard-fought.
