In a glass case on the upper level of the MCG rests a electric pink ensemble worn by the pop star. His concert in front of a hundred thousand spectators was hailed as a triumph.
It's possible you appreciate Robbie Williams. Perhaps you believe he is the finest offering to music the world has ever seen. You might take a middle ground, acknowledging that some tracks are excellent while others are poor.
The key argument is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. You like what you like. There is not a single method to produce literature or even Test cricket.
The Peerless Spectrum of The Long Game
Test cricket boasts peerless complexity. It's difficult to think of another sport where the contest is so dependent on external factors.
The weather, 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 players paint their masterpiece.
A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test
The Boxing Day fixture between the two sides was Test cricket cubism, the established format broken apart and reconstructed in a bizarre shape.
It must be stated this is not a endorsement of the wicket which resulted in a victory and the another sub-three-day finish of the series.
Leaving a thick layer on the surface, causing a cascade of wickets falling in less than six sessions, is not an even battle between bat and ball.
A Varied History: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a inferior show, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is wide of the mark.
The long game is a diverse canvas, a long history and counting. At times, as witnessed recently, the ball behaves unpredictably for the fast men. Other times, it spins sharply on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it explodes.
The exciting finishes are particularly captivating because of the investment devoted during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The Core Skill
Certain variables are tolerated more freely than others.
The debate in at the MCG was that the equilibrium was tipped too far towards the attack. That the skilled individuals were prevented from playing their natural game.
This level of cricket is about adapting to challenges – reading the wicket and responding effectively. The top two individual innings were made by acknowledged batters. One line-up committed more errors than the other, and thus lost.
Unbridled Joy: The Fan Perspective
Try telling the supporters who have suffered a long drought that this wasn't compelling.
In a corner of the MCG, countless fans waved their flags and sang their songs, producing a carnival vibe in a stronghold of national pride.
There was optimism as the fielding side surged, advantage when players responded, and rapturous celebration when the result was secured.
Contrasting Examples: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The MCG has a history with controversial surfaces. Eight years ago, a match there featured a pitch with the character of a a damp squib.
That match was a marathon, with few wickets and interminable tedium. This recent match and that drawn affair are extreme ends of the scale – one is not more the standard, yet significance can be found in them.
At this stage into the current series, it is the quick finishes that will remain iconic in the collective consciousness.
"This isn't the death of Test cricket at all," said a past champion. "Spectators who have been fortunate to see these short time have been given some fantastic sport. A unique show."
Baby Steps: Looking Ahead
In the build-up to this Test, the leader spoke like a man carrying the weight of the world on his back.
The players delivered for him, reinstating the positive demeanor to his face.
New faces stepped up with crucial roles. These are small positives, hardly enough to guarantee long-term stability, but a starting point to develop from.
At the very least, this MCG win joins other memorable performances in similar circumstances.
As the fans departed into a stunning sunset, the players gathered on the outfield to begin their own festivities.
Celebrate the win, men. This victory was hard-fought.
