Within a showcase on the upper level of the MCG is housed a vibrant pink ensemble worn by the pop star. His concert in front of a hundred thousand fans was seen as a triumph.
You might not like Robbie Williams. You might think he is the finest offering to music known to man. Or you could adopt a middle ground, conceding that some songs are excellent while others are poor.
The central idea is that amusement can take many forms. You like what you like. There is no one way to craft art or even the longest format.
The Incomparable Variety of The Long Game
Test cricket boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the outcome is so dictated by external factors.
The elements, the time of day, the cricket ball – the factors are countless. Crucially is the wicket.
If the format is art, the strip is the canvas on which the athletes paint their masterpiece.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Melbourne Spectacle
The Boxing Day fixture between the two sides was the game deconstructed, the traditional sport broken apart and reconstructed in a bizarre shape.
This is not a defence of the wicket which resulted in a triumph and the second two-day Test of the contest.
Allowing a thick layer on the wicket, leading to 36 wickets being taken in less than a brief period, is not an even battle between offense and defense.
A Rich Tapestry: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be qualified as inauthentic, is incorrect.
Test cricket is a rich tapestry, 2,615 parts and still growing. Sometimes, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball moves excessively for the seamers. In contrast, it grips and turns on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it spits like a cobra.
The thrillers are particularly captivating because of the patience made during quieter periods.
Adaptation: The True Test
Some factors are tolerated more freely than others.
The argument in Melbourne was that the contest was skewed excessively towards the attack. That the best players were unable from showcasing their talents.
Test cricket is about problem solving – interpreting the situation and adapting appropriately. The top two individual contributions were made by world-class batters. One line-up committed more errors than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Unbridled Joy: The Supporters' View
Attempt to convince the fans who have endured a long drought that this was not entertaining.
In one section of the MCG, a sea of people waved their flags and created an atmosphere, producing a carnival vibe in a heartland of sport.
There was optimism as the fielding side surged, advantage when players responded, and unconditional love when the result was achieved.
Polar Opposites: The Range of Test Matches
The MCG has form with pitch problems. Previously, a game there featured a wicket with all the life of a a non-event.
That match was a slog, with few wickets and slow play. The latest encounter and that drawn affair are extreme ends of the range – both are not the standard, yet historical weight can be attached to both.
Four Tests into the ongoing battle, it is the two-day matches that will live longest in the history books.
"This isn't the end of Test cricket at all," commented a veteran. "Spectators who have been lucky enough to see these short time have been experienced some real entertainment. An unusual spectacle."
Signs of Progress: Looking Ahead
In the lead-in to this Test, the skipper spoke like a man carrying the heavy burden on his mind.
The players responded for him, reinstating the smile to his countenance.
Different players performed with crucial roles. These are small positives, hardly enough to ensure long-term futures, but a starting point to use as a platform.
In the end, this MCG win is added to other historic performances in similar circumstances.
As the supporters slipped away into a beautiful night, the players congregated on the field to start their own enjoyment.
Savour the moment, lads. You've earned this one.
