Within a display cabinet on the third floor of the Melbourne Cricket Ground sits a electric pink suit worn by the entertainer. His concert in front of a massive crowd of fans was seen as a triumph.
Perhaps you don't appreciate Robbie Williams. Maybe you feel he is the ultimate present to music the world has ever seen. You might take a middle ground, conceding that some hits are excellent while others are terrible.
The central idea is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. Preferences differ. There is not a single method to create art or even the longest format.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Long Game
The five-day game boasts unrivalled depth. One struggles to think of another sport where the outcome is so reliant upon external factors.
The climate, the hour of play, the ball – the factors are countless. Above all is the playing surface.
If the format is art, the wicket is the canvas on which the cricketers craft their legacy.
A Test of Cubism: The MCG Match
The Boxing Day fixture between Australia and England was an abstract version of cricket, the great game dismantled and stuck back together in abstract form.
This is not a justification of the pitch which yielded a win and the another sub-three-day finish of the series.
Having a thick layer on the pitch, leading to numerous dismissals being taken in less than two days, is not a fair contest between bat and ball.
A Varied History: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a inferior show, one that should be qualified as illegitimate, is mistaken.
The long game is a rich tapestry, a long history and ongoing. At times, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball moves excessively for the seamers. Other times, it turns square on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it spits like a cobra.
The thrillers are even more exciting because of the investment made in other matches.
Problem Solving: The Real Challenge
Some factors are tolerated more readily than others.
The contention in at the MCG was that the balance was weighted unfairly towards the attack. That the best players were unable from showcasing their talents.
The format is about problem solving – interpreting the wicket and adjusting accordingly. The best individual innings were made by recognized batters. One team made more mistakes than the other, and thus lost.
Unbridled Joy: The Fan Perspective
Try telling the devotees who have suffered years of defeat that this wasn't compelling.
In one section of the ground, thousands celebrated and chanted, producing a party atmosphere in a bastion of sport.
There was optimism as the fielding side excelled, impetus when the top order fought back, and unconditional love when the result was secured.
Polar Opposites: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The MCG has previous experience with pitch problems. Eight years ago, a Test there featured a strip with all the life of a a damp squib.
That contest was a marathon, with limited drama and endless boredom. The two-day game and that slow Test are polar opposites of the range – neither ideal, yet historical weight can be found in them.
At this stage into the ongoing battle, it is the quick finishes that will remain iconic in the collective consciousness.
"This isn't the end of Test cricket at all," observed a past champion. "Spectators who have been fortunate to see these two days have been experienced some genuine drama. A unique show."
Baby Steps: A Glimmer of Hope
In the build-up to this match, the captain spoke like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his mind.
The team delivered for him, bringing back the joy to his countenance.
Emerging talents performed with vital performances. These are baby steps, hardly enough to ensure long-term success, but a foundation to use as a platform.
Ultimately, this MCG win joins other notable performances in similar circumstances.
As the crowd slipped away into a stunning sunset, the squad gathered on the field to commence their own enjoyment.
Savour the moment, men. You've earned this one.
