Within a showcase on the third floor of the MCG is housed a vibrant pink ensemble performed in by Robbie Williams. His concert in front of a massive crowd of spectators was seen as a success.
You might not like Robbie Williams. You might think he is the finest offering to music in history. Alternatively, you may hold a middle ground, acknowledging that some songs are belting while others are poor.
The point being is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. Tastes vary. There is no universal formula to craft art or even five-day cricket.
The Peerless Spectrum of The Long Game
Test cricket boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the contest is so dictated by conditions.
The weather, the time of day, the cricket ball – the variables are numerous. Most important is the playing surface.
If Test cricket is a form of art, the strip is the blank slate on which the athletes create their art.
A Test of Cubism: The MCG Match
The Boxing Day fixture between the old rivals was an abstract version of cricket, the traditional sport broken apart and reassembled in abstract form.
It must be stated this is not a justification of the surface which produced a win and the another short match of the contest.
Allowing 10mm of grass on the surface, resulting in a cascade of wickets being taken in less than two days, is not an even battle between batter and bowler.
A Rich Tapestry: The Core of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is wide of the mark.
The format is a rich tapestry, over two thousand matches and counting. At times, like in Melbourne, the ball does all sorts for the seamers. Sometimes, it spins sharply on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it explodes.
The close matches are particularly captivating because of the time devoted elsewhere.
Problem Solving: The Core Skill
Certain variables are tolerated more readily than others.
The argument in at the MCG was that the balance was tipped too far towards the bowlers. That the best players were unable from showcasing their talents.
Test cricket is about finding solutions – reading the conditions and adapting accordingly. The two highest individual scores were made by recognized stars. One side made more mistakes than the other, and thus lost.
Pure Elation: The Fan Perspective
Go and inform the fans who have suffered years of defeat that this wasn't compelling.
In one section of the MCG, thousands waved their flags and chanted, fostering a carnival vibe in a stronghold of Australian cricket.
There was belief as the bowlers dominated, momentum when the top order scored quickly, and unconditional love when the win was confirmed.
Contrasting Examples: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The Melbourne has a history with pitch problems. Previously, a game there featured a wicket with all the life of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That match was a grind, with few wickets and endless boredom. The two-day game and that drawn affair are polar opposites of the spectrum – one is not more ideal, yet significance can be ascribed to both.
At this stage into the ongoing battle, it is the quick finishes that will remain iconic in the memory.
"This isn't the demise of the format at all," observed a veteran. "Fans who have been fortunate to see these short time have been treated to some genuine drama. Different entertainment."
Baby Steps: Building for the Future
In the build-up to this Test, the captain spoke like a man carrying the heavy burden on his mind.
The players delivered for him, reinstating the positive demeanor to his face.
Different players stepped up with crucial roles. These are incremental gains, not nearly enough to guarantee long-term futures, but something to build on.
Ultimately, this Melbourne victory takes its place among other notable performances in meaningless games.
As the crowd departed into a stunning sunset, the team gathered on the outfield to begin their own festivities.
Enjoy the drink, boys. It's well deserved.
