In a display cabinet on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium is housed a neon pink suit worn by the pop star. His performance in front of a massive crowd of fans was seen as a success.
Perhaps you don't enjoy Robbie Williams. Perhaps you believe he is the ultimate present to music the world has ever seen. You might take a middle ground, acknowledging that some songs are belting while others are awful.
The key argument is that entertainment can take many forms. Preferences differ. There is no universal formula to craft art or even Test cricket.
The Peerless Spectrum of Test Cricket
The five-day game boasts incomparable variety. It's difficult to think of another sport where the contest is so reliant upon conditions.
The climate, the hour of play, the cricket ball – the factors are countless. Above all is the playing surface.
If Test cricket is an artistic pursuit, the wicket is the canvas on which the cricketers create their art.
A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test
The Boxing Day fixture between the old rivals was Test cricket cubism, the established format taken to pieces and reassembled in abstract form.
Let's be clear, this isn't a justification of the pitch which resulted in a win and the second two-day Test of the series.
Having 10mm of grass on the wicket, resulting in 36 wickets falling in less than six sessions, is not a balanced duel between offense and defense.
A Rich Tapestry: The Core of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be marked with an asterisk as illegitimate, is wide of the mark.
The long game is a varied portfolio, over two thousand matches and counting. At times, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball does all sorts for the seamers. Other times, it grips and turns on a spinning track. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it bounces unevenly.
The exciting finishes are even more exciting due to the patience devoted in other matches.
Adjustment: The Core Skill
Some factors are accepted more readily than others.
The contention in at the MCG was that the balance was skewed excessively towards the fielding side. That the best players were unable from showcasing their talents.
The format is about finding solutions – reading the wicket and adapting effectively. The top two individual innings were made by world-class stars. One side committed more errors than the other, and thus were defeated.
Pure Elation: The Fan Perspective
Try telling the supporters who have suffered 18 winless matches that this was not entertaining.
Among the crowd of the ground, countless fans waved their flags and sang their songs, fostering a party atmosphere in a stronghold of national pride.
There was hope as the fielding side dominated, advantage when players scored quickly, and unconditional love when the victory was confirmed.
Contrasting Examples: The Variety of Test Matches
The MCG has previous experience with difficult wickets. Eight years ago, a Test there featured a pitch with the excitement of a a non-event.
That match was a marathon, with few wickets and endless boredom. This recent match and that slow Test are extreme ends of the scale – neither the standard, yet value can be ascribed to each.
At this stage into the Ashes contest, it is the two-day matches that will live longest in the memory.
"Far from being the death of Test cricket at all," said a past champion. "Fans who have been fortunate to see these 48 hours have been experienced some genuine drama. An unusual spectacle."
Small Victories: Building for the Future
In the lead-in to this match, the captain talked like a man carrying the weight of the world on his back.
The team protected him, bringing back the joy to his persona.
Emerging talents performed with vital performances. These are baby steps, not nearly enough to ensure long-term success, but a foundation to use as a platform.
Ultimately, this Melbourne victory joins other notable performances in dead rubbers.
As the supporters left into a stunning sunset, the squad gathered on the field to commence their own festivities.
Celebrate the win, boys. You've earned this one.
