Displayed inside a glass case on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium is housed a neon pink suit donned by Robbie Williams. His concert in front of a massive crowd of attendees was considered a triumph.
Perhaps you don't enjoy his music. You might think he is the greatest gift to music known to man. You might take a balanced view, acknowledging that some songs are excellent while others are terrible.
The central idea is that entertainment can take many forms. You like what you like. There is no one way to create music or even Test cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Test Format
The traditional format boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the playing is so dictated by conditions.
The climate, the time of day, the ball – the factors are countless. Crucially is the playing surface.
If the format is an artistic pursuit, the pitch is the canvas on which the athletes paint their masterpiece.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test
The fourth Ashes Test between the two sides was an abstract version of cricket, the great game dismantled and reassembled in abstract form.
Let's be clear, this isn't a defence of the pitch which yielded a victory and the another short match of the Ashes battle.
Allowing 10mm of grass on the wicket, causing a cascade of wickets falling in less than a brief period, is not a balanced duel between offense and defense.
A Diverse Legacy: The Core of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a lesser event, one that should be qualified as illegitimate, is mistaken.
The format is a diverse canvas, over two thousand matches and still growing. At times, like in Melbourne, the ball does all sorts for the seamers. In contrast, it spins sharply on a dust bowl. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it spits like a cobra.
The thrillers are all the more thrilling due to the investment made during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The True Test
Specific conditions are embraced more easily than others.
The argument in at the MCG was that the equilibrium was weighted unfairly towards the bowlers. That the best players were hindered from showcasing their talents.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – assessing the situation and responding accordingly. The two highest individual innings were made by world-class players. One side was less disciplined than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Pure Elation: The Supporters' View
Attempt to convince the fans who have endured years of defeat that this was not entertaining.
Among the crowd of the MCG, a sea of people waved their flags and created an atmosphere, producing a party atmosphere in a bastion of Australian cricket.
There was hope as the fielding side dominated, impetus when the top order scored quickly, and pure joy when the result was achieved.
Contrasting Examples: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The MCG has form with controversial surfaces. Eight years ago, a game there featured a wicket with all the life of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That match was a slog, with few wickets and endless boredom. The two-day game and that drawn affair are extreme ends of the spectrum – neither ideal, yet historical weight can be found in both.
Four Tests into the Ashes contest, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the collective consciousness.
"It's not the end of the format at all," observed a past champion. "Fans who have been fortunate to see these short time have been treated to some real entertainment. A unique show."
Baby Steps: Building for the Future
In the build-up to this Test, the captain addressed the media like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his shoulders.
The players protected him, bringing back the smile to his countenance.
Emerging talents delivered with vital performances. These are incremental gains, not nearly enough to secure long-term stability, but something to develop from.
At the very least, this Melbourne victory joins other memorable performances in similar circumstances.
As the crowd departed into a glorious Melbourne evening, the squad gathered on the field to commence their own enjoyment.
Savour the moment, men. You've earned this one.
