In a showcase on the third floor of the MCG sits a neon pink ensemble worn by the entertainer. His show in front of a hundred thousand spectators was seen as a success.
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, conceding that some songs are excellent while others are awful.
The point being is that enjoyment can be delivered diversely. Preferences differ. There is no one way to produce art or even Test cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Long Game
Test cricket boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the playing is so reliant upon external factors.
The elements, the session, the ball – the factors are countless. Crucially is the wicket.
If Test cricket is a form of art, the wicket is the blank slate on which the athletes craft their legacy.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test
The recent Melbourne match between the old rivals was Test cricket cubism, the great game broken apart and reconstructed in abstract form.
This is not a defence of the wicket which produced a triumph and the another short match of the series.
Leaving 10mm of grass on the surface, leading to numerous dismissals being taken in less than a brief period, is not an even battle between batter and bowler.
A Diverse Legacy: The Core of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a lesser event, one that should be marked with an asterisk as not a proper Test, is mistaken.
The long game is a varied portfolio, a long history and ongoing. Sometimes, as seen at the MCG, the ball moves excessively for the fast men. In contrast, it spins sharply on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is dead, other times it bounces unevenly.
The thrillers are even more exciting because of the time devoted in other matches.
Adjustment: The Core Skill
Some factors are embraced more easily than others.
The debate in during the match was that the contest was tipped too far towards the bowlers. That the skilled individuals were prevented from demonstrating their skill.
This level of cricket is about finding solutions – interpreting the conditions and adapting appropriately. The top two individual contributions were made by world-class batters. One side was less disciplined than the other, and thus were defeated.
Pure Elation: For Those Who Waited
Attempt to convince the devotees who have suffered years of defeat that this wasn't compelling.
In a corner of the stadium, countless fans celebrated and chanted, fostering a festive mood in a bastion of sport.
There was hope as the bowlers surged, momentum when players responded, and unconditional love when the victory was confirmed.
Contrasting Examples: The Range of Test Matches
The Melbourne has form with difficult wickets. Previously, a Test there featured a pitch with the character of a a damp squib.
That fixture was a slog, with few wickets and slow play. This recent match and that slow Test are extreme ends of the spectrum – both are not ideal, yet value can be attached to them.
Deep into the series into the current series, it is the quick finishes that will remain iconic in the collective consciousness.
"Far from being the end of Test cricket at all," observed a former player. "The people who have been lucky enough to see these 48 hours have been treated to some genuine drama. A unique show."
Small Victories: A Glimmer of Hope
In the preparation to this Test, the skipper talked like a man carrying the heavy burden on his mind.
The team protected him, bringing back the joy to his persona.
Emerging talents performed with crucial roles. These are small positives, hardly enough to ensure long-term success, but a foundation to develop from.
In the end, this MCG win joins other notable performances in meaningless games.
As the fans departed into a glorious Melbourne evening, the squad assembled on the outfield to begin their own enjoyment.
Savour the moment, lads. This victory was hard-fought.
