Displayed inside a glass case on the elevated floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium rests a vibrant pink outfit worn by Robbie Williams. His concert in front of a massive crowd of fans was seen as a major hit.
You might not appreciate his music. You might think he is the finest offering to music known to man. Or you could adopt a middle ground, admitting that some tracks are belting while others are poor.
The key argument is that amusement can be delivered diversely. You like what you like. There is not a single method to create music or even five-day cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Long Game
The five-day game boasts incomparable variety. One struggles to think of another sport where the contest is so reliant upon conditions.
The weather, the hour of play, the red ball – the variables are numerous. Crucially is the pitch.
If the long game is a form of art, the wicket is the foundation on which the players paint their masterpiece.
An Abstract Contest: The Fourth Test
The Boxing Day fixture between Australia and England was Test cricket cubism, the traditional sport dismantled and reassembled in a bizarre shape.
Let's be clear, this isn't a defence of the wicket which produced a triumph and the another sub-three-day finish of the series.
Leaving 10mm of grass on the wicket, resulting in 36 wickets tumbling in less than two days, is not a fair contest between bat and ball.
A Varied History: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a inferior show, one that should be marked with an asterisk as not a proper Test, is mistaken.
The format is a varied portfolio, 2,615 parts and ongoing. Sometimes, as seen at the MCG, the ball does all sorts for the fast men. In contrast, 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 because of the investment made during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The Core Skill
Certain variables are accepted more easily than others.
The contention in at the MCG was that the contest was skewed excessively towards the attack. That the best players were hindered from demonstrating their skill.
Test cricket is about problem solving – interpreting the situation and responding accordingly. The two highest individual innings were made by recognized players. One side committed more errors than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Unbridled Joy: The Supporters' View
Try telling the fans who have suffered 18 winless matches that this lacked spectacle.
In one section of the ground, countless fans waved their flags and sang their songs, producing a party atmosphere in a bastion of sport.
There was belief as the bowlers dominated, advantage when batters scored quickly, and rapturous celebration when the win was confirmed.
Contrasting Examples: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The MCG has previous experience with difficult wickets. In the past, a game there featured a pitch with all the life of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That match was a slog, with few wickets and endless boredom. The latest encounter and that slow Test are extreme ends of the spectrum – one is not more perfect, yet significance can be found in both.
Four Tests into the ongoing battle, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the collective consciousness.
"Far from being the death of Test cricket at all," said a past champion. "The people who have been fortunate to see these 48 hours have been treated to some real entertainment. A unique show."
Baby Steps: Looking Ahead
In the lead-in to this Test, the leader talked like a man carrying the heavy burden on his shoulders.
The players delivered for him, bringing back the joy to his face.
Emerging talents performed with crucial roles. These are small positives, hardly enough to secure long-term success, but a foundation to develop from.
In the end, this MCG win is added to other memorable performances in meaningless games.
As the crowd departed into a glorious Melbourne evening, the team assembled on the outfield to start their own festivities.
Enjoy the drink, lads. This victory was hard-fought.
