Within a glass case on the third floor of the MCG rests a vibrant pink outfit worn by the pop star. His performance in front of a massive crowd of fans was considered a major hit.
Perhaps you don't appreciate Robbie Williams. You might think he is the greatest gift to music known to man. Or you could adopt a balanced view, admitting that some songs are fantastic while others are poor.
The point being is that amusement can manifest in countless ways. You like what you like. There is not a single method to produce music or even the longest format.
The Peerless Spectrum of Test Cricket
Test cricket boasts incomparable variety. It is hard to think of another sport where the playing is so dictated by external factors.
The climate, the time of day, the ball – the factors are countless. Above all is the wicket.
If the long game is a form of art, the wicket is the blank slate on which the cricketers paint their masterpiece.
A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test
The Boxing Day fixture between Australia and England was the game deconstructed, the traditional sport taken to pieces and stuck back together in a bizarre shape.
It must be stated this is not a defence of the wicket which produced a win and the another short match of the contest.
Allowing 10mm of grass on the surface, resulting in numerous dismissals being taken in less than a brief period, is not an even battle between bat and ball.
A Varied History: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a inferior show, one that should be qualified as not a proper Test, is mistaken.
The long game is a rich tapestry, a long history and counting. On occasion, as witnessed recently, the ball behaves unpredictably for the seamers. In contrast, it turns square on a spinning track. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.
The thrillers are all the more thrilling because of the patience devoted during quieter periods.
Adaptation: The True Test
Some factors are accepted more readily than others.
The debate in during the match was that the contest was weighted unfairly towards the fielding side. That the skilled individuals were hindered from demonstrating their skill.
This level of cricket is about finding solutions – interpreting the situation and responding effectively. The two highest individual scores were made by recognized batters. One line-up made more mistakes than the other, and thus were defeated.
Sheer Celebration: The Fan Perspective
Go and inform the supporters who have suffered years of defeat that this wasn't compelling.
In one section of the MCG, thousands waved their flags and sang their songs, producing a party atmosphere in a stronghold of sport.
There was optimism as the fielding side surged, impetus when players scored quickly, and pure joy when the result was achieved.
Polar Opposites: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The MCG has previous experience with difficult wickets. Previously, a match there featured a strip with the character of a a non-event.
That contest was a grind, with few wickets and slow play. This recent match and that slow Test are polar opposites of the scale – one is not more perfect, yet value can be found in each.
Deep into the series into the ongoing battle, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the collective consciousness.
"This isn't the end of the long game at all," observed a past champion. "The people who have been privileged to see these two days have been experienced some fantastic sport. Different entertainment."
Small Victories: Building for the Future
In the preparation to this Test, the leader spoke like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his shoulders.
The team protected him, reinstating the positive demeanor to his face.
New faces performed with crucial roles. These are small positives, hardly enough to secure long-term stability, but a starting point to build on.
At the very least, this Melbourne victory takes its place among other memorable performances in similar circumstances.
As the crowd departed into a stunning sunset, the players assembled on the field to start their own festivities.
Enjoy the drink, men. It's well deserved.
