In a showcase on the elevated floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium rests a vibrant pink ensemble worn by Robbie Williams. The concert in front of a massive crowd of attendees was considered a major hit.
It's possible you enjoy his music. You might think he is the greatest gift to music the world has ever seen. Or you could adopt a middle ground, conceding that some hits are excellent while others are terrible.
The key argument is that amusement can take many forms. Tastes vary. There is not a single method to create music or even Test cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Test Format
The traditional format boasts incomparable variety. It's difficult to think of another sport where the playing is so dictated by conditions.
The climate, the time of day, the red ball – the list is endless. Above all is the wicket.
If Test cricket is a form of art, the wicket is the canvas on which the athletes create their art.
An Abstract Contest: The Melbourne Spectacle
The recent Melbourne match between the old rivals was an abstract version of cricket, the established format broken apart and reconstructed in a bizarre shape.
It must be stated this is not a defence of the pitch which produced a victory and the another sub-three-day finish of the Ashes battle.
Having 10mm of grass on the wicket, causing a cascade of wickets being taken in less than two days, is not a fair contest between bat and ball.
A Rich Tapestry: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be marked with an asterisk as not a proper Test, is incorrect.
The format is a diverse canvas, 2,615 parts and counting. On occasion, as witnessed recently, the ball moves excessively for the fast men. Sometimes, it grips and turns on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it bounces unevenly.
The exciting finishes are even more exciting due to the patience committed elsewhere.
Adjustment: The True Test
Some factors are tolerated more readily than others.
The contention in during the match was that the contest was skewed excessively towards the attack. That the skilled individuals were prevented from playing their natural game.
This level of cricket is about adapting to challenges – assessing the situation and adjusting appropriately. The two highest individual scores were made by acknowledged players. One team was less disciplined than the other, and thus were defeated.
Sheer Celebration: For Those Who Waited
Attempt to convince the fans who have endured a long drought that this was not entertaining.
In a corner of the ground, thousands made noise and created an atmosphere, producing a party atmosphere in a bastion of national pride.
There was belief as the fielding side surged, momentum when batters responded, and pure joy when the win was secured.
Contrasting Examples: The Variety of Test Matches
The venue has form with controversial surfaces. In the past, a match there featured a strip with the character of a a damp squib.
That match was a slog, with few wickets and interminable tedium. The latest encounter and that drawn affair are polar opposites of the scale – one is not more ideal, yet value can be found in them.
Deep into the series into the ongoing battle, it is the two-day matches that will remain iconic in the memory.
"This isn't the death of the format at all," commented a past champion. "Fans who have been fortunate to see these 48 hours have been treated to some fantastic sport. Different entertainment."
Baby Steps: Looking Ahead
In the preparation to this Test, the captain addressed the media like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his back.
The players delivered for him, restoring the smile to his face.
Emerging talents stepped up with key contributions. These are incremental gains, not nearly enough to secure long-term success, but a starting point to develop from.
At the very least, this triumph takes its place among other memorable performances in meaningless games.
As the supporters departed into a stunning sunset, the team congregated on the outfield to commence their own festivities.
Savour the moment, lads. You've earned this one.
