Within a showcase on the upper level of the Melbourne Cricket Ground rests a electric pink outfit donned by the entertainer. The show in front of a massive crowd of fans was hailed as a major hit.
It's possible you appreciate Robbie Williams. You might think he is the greatest gift to music known to man. Or you could adopt a reasonable stance, admitting that some songs are fantastic while others are poor.
The key argument is that enjoyment can take many forms. Tastes vary. There is no universal formula to produce music or even the longest format.
The Peerless Spectrum of The Long Game
The five-day game boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the playing is so reliant upon the environment.
The elements, the hour of play, the ball – the factors are countless. Crucially is the pitch.
If Test cricket is a form of art, the pitch is the canvas on which the players paint their masterpiece.
A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test
The fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England was an abstract version of cricket, the traditional sport taken to pieces and stuck back together in a bizarre shape.
This is not a defence of the wicket which produced a triumph and the another sub-three-day finish of the series.
Leaving a thick layer on the surface, causing numerous dismissals tumbling in less than two days, is not an even battle between offense and defense.
A Diverse Legacy: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a inferior show, one that should be footnoted 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 cricket ball behaves unpredictably for the pace bowlers. In contrast, it turns square on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.
The exciting finishes are particularly captivating because of the investment made during quieter periods.
Adaptation: The Core Skill
Certain variables are embraced more readily than others.
The contention in Melbourne was that the balance was skewed excessively towards the fielding side. That the skilled individuals were hindered from demonstrating their skill.
This level of cricket is about finding solutions – assessing the wicket and adapting appropriately. The best individual scores were made by world-class batters. One line-up made more mistakes than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Sheer Celebration: The Fan Perspective
Try telling the supporters who have suffered 18 winless matches that this wasn't compelling.
Among the crowd of the stadium, a sea of people waved their flags and created an atmosphere, generating a party atmosphere in a heartland of national pride.
There was hope as the attack surged, advantage when the top order responded, and unconditional love when the victory was secured.
Polar Opposites: The Range of Test Matches
The Melbourne has a history with difficult wickets. Previously, a game there featured a wicket with the excitement of a a damp squib.
That match was a grind, with minimal action and slow play. This recent match and that slow Test are extreme ends of the range – both are not perfect, yet significance can be ascribed to them.
Deep into the series into the current series, it is the quick finishes that will be most remembered in the history books.
"This isn't the end of the long game at all," said a veteran. "The people who have been lucky enough to see these short time have been experienced some genuine drama. Different entertainment."
Small Victories: A Glimmer of Hope
In the preparation to this Test, the leader addressed the media like a man carrying the heavy burden on his mind.
The squad delivered for him, bringing back the joy to his countenance.
Emerging talents stepped up with key contributions. These are incremental gains, not nearly enough to ensure long-term success, but a starting point to use as a platform.
At the very least, this Melbourne victory joins other historic performances in dead rubbers.
As the crowd departed into a glorious Melbourne evening, the team gathered on the turf to commence their own celebrations.
Savour the moment, boys. You've earned this one.
