Displayed inside a display cabinet on the upper level of the MCG rests a electric pink outfit performed in by the pop star. His performance in front of a hundred thousand spectators was considered a major hit.
It's possible you appreciate Robbie Williams. Perhaps you believe he is the ultimate present to music known to man. Or you could adopt a middle ground, admitting that some hits are fantastic while others are poor.
The key argument is that enjoyment can manifest in countless ways. Preferences differ. There is not a single method to create music 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 dependent on conditions.
The elements, the hour of play, the red ball – the list is endless. Above all is the wicket.
If Test cricket is an artistic pursuit, the pitch is the blank slate on which the athletes create their art.
A Test of Cubism: The Melbourne Spectacle
The Boxing Day fixture between Australia and England was the game deconstructed, the established format dismantled and stuck back together in a bizarre shape.
It must be stated this is not a endorsement of the surface which yielded a win and the second two-day Test of the Ashes battle.
Leaving 10mm of grass on the pitch, causing a cascade of wickets being taken in less than a brief period, is not a fair contest between batter and bowler.
A Diverse Legacy: The Core of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be qualified as not a proper Test, is wide of the mark.
Test cricket is a rich tapestry, 2,615 parts and ongoing. On occasion, as seen at the MCG, the cricket ball moves excessively for the fast men. Other times, it spins sharply on a dust bowl. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.
The thrillers are all the more thrilling due to the investment devoted elsewhere.
Adaptation: The True Test
Some factors are accepted more readily than others.
The contention in Melbourne was that the contest was tipped too far towards the bowlers. That the skilled individuals were unable from showcasing their talents.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – interpreting the wicket and responding accordingly. The top two individual scores were made by recognized stars. One line-up committed more errors than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Unbridled Joy: For Those Who Waited
Attempt to convince the supporters who have endured a long drought that this wasn't compelling.
Among the crowd of the MCG, countless fans waved their flags and sang their songs, generating a carnival vibe in a stronghold of sport.
There was belief as the attack surged, advantage when players fought back, and rapturous celebration when the victory was achieved.
Extreme Ends: The Variety of Test Matches
The Melbourne has a history with controversial surfaces. Previously, a game there featured a strip with the character of a a damp squib.
That match was a marathon, with minimal action and endless boredom. This recent match and that slow Test are extreme ends of the scale – both are not ideal, yet significance can be attached to both.
Deep into the series into the ongoing battle, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the collective consciousness.
"It's not the death of the long game at all," commented a former player. "Fans who have been privileged to see these short time have been treated to some fantastic sport. Different entertainment."
Signs of Progress: Looking Ahead
In the preparation to this Test, the leader spoke like a man carrying the weight of the world on his back.
The players delivered for him, bringing back the joy to his countenance.
Emerging talents performed with crucial roles. These are small positives, not nearly enough to ensure long-term success, but something to build on.
Ultimately, this triumph takes its place among other memorable performances in meaningless games.
As the fans slipped away into a beautiful night, the squad congregated on the turf to begin their own celebrations.
Savour the moment, lads. It's well deserved.
