Displayed inside a showcase on the third floor of the MCG is housed a neon pink outfit donned by the entertainer. His performance in front of a massive crowd of spectators was considered a major hit.
It's possible you enjoy Robbie Williams. You might think he is the greatest gift to music known to man. You might take a reasonable stance, admitting that some songs are fantastic while others are awful.
The key argument is that enjoyment can manifest in countless ways. You like what you like. There is no universal formula to create art or even five-day cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of Test Cricket
Test cricket boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the outcome is so dictated by conditions.
The climate, the hour of play, the red ball – the factors are countless. Crucially is the playing surface.
If the format is an artistic pursuit, the wicket is the foundation on which the players create their art.
An Abstract Contest: The Melbourne Spectacle
The Boxing Day fixture between the old rivals was the game deconstructed, the established format taken to pieces and reassembled in a bizarre shape.
Let's be clear, this isn't a endorsement of the surface which resulted in a victory and the second two-day Test of the contest.
Leaving excessive grass on the wicket, causing a cascade of wickets tumbling in less than six sessions, is not a balanced duel between offense and defense.
A Diverse Legacy: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be qualified as illegitimate, is incorrect.
Test cricket is a varied portfolio, 2,615 parts and ongoing. On occasion, as witnessed recently, the ball does all sorts for the fast men. Sometimes, it turns square on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it explodes.
The thrillers are all the more thrilling owing to the patience committed elsewhere.
Problem Solving: The True Test
Certain variables are accepted more freely than others.
The contention in at the MCG was that the balance was skewed excessively towards the attack. That the best players were prevented from showcasing their talents.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – interpreting the conditions and responding appropriately. The two highest individual innings were made by world-class players. One side made more mistakes than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Pure Elation: The Supporters' View
Go and inform the supporters who have suffered years of defeat that this wasn't compelling.
In a corner of the stadium, thousands celebrated and created an atmosphere, producing a party atmosphere in a bastion of Australian cricket.
There was hope as the fielding side surged, advantage when players fought back, and unconditional love when the win was confirmed.
Contrasting Examples: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The venue has previous experience with pitch problems. In the past, a Test there featured a strip with the character of a a damp squib.
That fixture was a slog, with limited drama and slow play. The two-day game and that slow Test are polar opposites of the range – both are not the standard, yet historical weight can be attached to them.
Deep into the series into the current series, it is the quick finishes that will remain iconic in the history books.
"This isn't the death of the format at all," commented a past champion. "Fans who have been fortunate to see these two days have been treated to some genuine drama. Different entertainment."
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 squad delivered for him, reinstating the positive demeanor to his countenance.
Different players delivered with vital performances. These are incremental gains, not nearly enough to guarantee long-term futures, but a foundation to use as a platform.
In the end, this triumph takes its place among other memorable performances in dead rubbers.
As the fans left into a stunning sunset, the players congregated on the field to begin their own festivities.
Savour the moment, lads. It's well deserved.
