In a display cabinet on the elevated floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium is housed a neon pink outfit performed in by the pop star. The concert in front of 100,024 fans was hailed as a triumph.
Perhaps you don't appreciate Robbie Williams. Perhaps you believe he is the ultimate present to music in history. Or you could adopt a reasonable stance, acknowledging that some hits are belting while others are awful.
The point being is that enjoyment can be delivered diversely. Preferences differ. There is not a single method to craft music or even five-day cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Long Game
The traditional format boasts peerless complexity. It's difficult to think of another sport where the playing is so dependent on conditions.
The climate, the hour of play, the red ball – the list is endless. Above all is the pitch.
If the format is an artistic pursuit, the strip is the foundation on which the cricketers paint their masterpiece.
A Test of Cubism: The Melbourne Spectacle
The fourth Ashes Test between the old rivals was the game deconstructed, the established format dismantled and reconstructed in an unusual manner.
It must be stated this is not a justification of the pitch which produced a victory and the another sub-three-day finish of the Ashes battle.
Leaving 10mm of grass on the pitch, resulting in 36 wickets tumbling in less than two days, is not an even battle between offense and defense.
A Rich Tapestry: The Core of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be marked with an asterisk as inauthentic, is incorrect.
The long game is a diverse canvas, a long history and ongoing. On occasion, as witnessed recently, the ball does all sorts for the fast men. Sometimes, it turns square on a spinning track. Sometimes, the pitch is dead, other times it explodes.
The thrillers are particularly captivating due to the investment made during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The True Test
Some factors are embraced more freely than others.
The debate in during the match was that the contest was tipped too far towards the bowlers. That the top batters were hindered from playing their natural game.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – interpreting the wicket and responding appropriately. The top two individual innings were made by recognized batters. One team committed more errors than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Unbridled Joy: The Fan Perspective
Try telling the supporters who have suffered a long drought that this wasn't compelling.
In one section of the ground, a sea of people waved their flags and created an atmosphere, fostering a carnival vibe in a stronghold of national pride.
There was optimism as the attack excelled, impetus when players fought back, and rapturous celebration when the victory was secured.
Extreme Ends: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The venue has previous experience with pitch problems. Eight years ago, a match there featured a wicket with the character of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That match was a grind, with minimal action and endless boredom. The latest encounter and that previous match are diametrically opposed points of the range – neither perfect, yet historical weight can be ascribed to both.
Deep into the series into the current series, it is the shortest games that will remain iconic in the collective consciousness.
"It's not the demise of Test cricket at all," said a former player. "Spectators who have been lucky enough to see these 48 hours have been given some fantastic sport. A unique show."
Baby Steps: Building for the Future
In the build-up to this match, the leader talked like a man carrying the heavy burden on his mind.
The team delivered for him, bringing back the positive demeanor to his countenance.
Emerging talents performed with key contributions. These are small positives, not nearly enough to ensure long-term success, but a foundation to develop from.
In the end, this Melbourne victory takes its place among other memorable performances in meaningless games.
As the crowd left into a glorious Melbourne evening, the players gathered on the field to start their own celebrations.
Enjoy the drink, men. It's well deserved.
