In a showcase on the elevated floor of the MCG sits a vibrant pink outfit donned by Robbie Williams. His concert in front of a massive crowd of spectators was hailed as a major hit.
It's possible you like the performer. Perhaps you believe he is the finest offering to music known to man. Or you could adopt a balanced view, conceding that some tracks are fantastic while others are terrible.
The key argument is that enjoyment can take many forms. You like what you like. There is no one way to craft music or even the longest format.
The Peerless Spectrum of The Long Game
Test cricket boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the contest is so dependent on the environment.
The elements, the hour of play, the cricket ball – the variables are numerous. Crucially is the playing surface.
If the long game is a form of art, the pitch is the foundation on which the athletes create their art.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Melbourne Spectacle
The fourth Ashes Test between the old rivals was an abstract version of cricket, the traditional sport taken to pieces and stuck back together in abstract form.
It must be stated this is not a defence of the pitch which yielded a triumph and the second two-day Test of the Ashes battle.
Having excessive grass on the wicket, resulting in 36 wickets falling in less than two days, is not an even battle between bat and ball.
A Rich Tapestry: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be qualified as inauthentic, is wide of the mark.
Test cricket is a varied portfolio, 2,615 parts and counting. Sometimes, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball moves excessively for the fast men. Sometimes, it spins sharply on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is dead, other times it explodes.
The exciting finishes are even more exciting due to the time committed elsewhere.
Adjustment: The Real Challenge
Specific conditions are accepted more easily than others.
The debate in Melbourne was that the balance was skewed excessively towards the fielding side. That the top batters were hindered from showcasing their talents.
The format is about finding solutions – interpreting the conditions and adjusting appropriately. The two highest individual scores were made by world-class batters. One line-up made more mistakes than the other, and thus lost.
Sheer Celebration: The Supporters' View
Attempt to convince the devotees who have suffered 18 winless matches that this was not entertaining.
In one section of the stadium, countless fans waved their flags and sang their songs, producing a carnival vibe in a stronghold of national pride.
There was belief as the fielding side excelled, impetus when batters scored quickly, and pure joy when the result was secured.
Contrasting Examples: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The Melbourne has a history with pitch problems. Previously, a game there featured a pitch with the excitement of a a damp squib.
That match was a grind, with few wickets and interminable tedium. This recent match and that previous match are polar opposites of the spectrum – both are not ideal, yet value can be found in each.
At this stage into the Ashes contest, it is the shortest games that will remain iconic in the collective consciousness.
"This isn't the death of Test cricket at all," commented a former player. "Spectators who have been privileged to see these two days have been treated to some genuine drama. An unusual spectacle."
Baby Steps: A Glimmer of Hope
In the build-up to this Test, the captain addressed the media like a man carrying the heavy burden on his mind.
The players responded for him, restoring the joy to his persona.
Different players stepped up with vital performances. These are small positives, certainly not enough to ensure long-term stability, but something to build on.
At the very least, this Melbourne victory joins other notable performances in meaningless games.
As the supporters departed into a beautiful night, the squad assembled on the turf to begin their own celebrations.
Enjoy the drink, boys. This victory was hard-fought.
