In a glass case on the third floor of the Melbourne Cricket Ground is housed a electric pink ensemble donned by Robbie Williams. The show in front of a hundred thousand spectators was hailed as a major hit.
You might not appreciate his music. Perhaps you believe he is the finest offering to music in history. You might take a middle ground, acknowledging that some tracks are fantastic while others are poor.
The point being is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. You like what you like. There is no one way to create literature or even the longest format.
The Unrivalled Depth of Test Cricket
The traditional format boasts peerless complexity. It is hard to think of another sport where the playing is so dictated by conditions.
The climate, the session, the cricket ball – the factors are countless. Above all is the wicket.
If Test cricket is a form of art, the wicket is the blank slate on which the players paint their masterpiece.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test
The Boxing Day fixture between Australia and England was an abstract version of cricket, the established format dismantled and reconstructed in abstract form.
It must be stated this is not a endorsement of the pitch which yielded a triumph and the another short match of the series.
Having 10mm of grass on the surface, leading to a cascade of wickets being taken in less than a brief period, is not a balanced duel between batter and bowler.
A Varied History: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a inferior show, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is mistaken.
Test cricket is a diverse canvas, a long history and counting. On occasion, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball does all sorts for the fast men. In contrast, it spins sharply on a dust bowl. At other venues, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it explodes.
The close matches are all the more thrilling due to the patience committed in other matches.
Adjustment: The Real Challenge
Some factors are embraced more freely than others.
The argument in Melbourne was that the balance was skewed excessively towards the bowlers. That the best players were prevented from showcasing their talents.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – assessing the wicket and responding accordingly. The two highest individual contributions were made by recognized stars. One line-up committed more errors than the other, and thus lost.
Unbridled Joy: The Fan Perspective
Attempt to convince the fans who have experienced 18 winless matches that this lacked spectacle.
Among the crowd of the ground, countless fans waved their flags and created an atmosphere, generating a party atmosphere in a heartland of Australian cricket.
There was hope as the bowlers excelled, momentum when batters fought back, and unconditional love when the win was achieved.
Contrasting Examples: The Variety of Test Matches
The Melbourne has form with pitch problems. Previously, a game there featured a wicket with the excitement of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That match was a slog, with minimal action and slow play. This recent match and that slow Test are diametrically opposed points of the scale – both are not the standard, yet value can be attached to them.
Deep into the series into the Ashes contest, it is the quick finishes that will remain iconic in the collective consciousness.
"Far from being the death of Test cricket at all," said a former player. "Spectators who have been lucky enough to see these short time have been treated to some real entertainment. A unique show."
Small Victories: A Glimmer of Hope
In the preparation to this Test, the captain talked like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his shoulders.
The squad protected him, restoring the smile to his countenance.
Emerging talents delivered with crucial roles. These are small positives, not nearly enough to ensure long-term futures, but a starting point to build on.
In the end, this Melbourne victory joins other historic performances in dead rubbers.
As the supporters departed into a glorious Melbourne evening, the team congregated on the outfield to begin their own festivities.
Enjoy the drink, lads. This victory was hard-fought.
