Within a display cabinet on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium sits a neon pink ensemble worn by the pop star. The show in front of a hundred thousand spectators was considered a triumph.
You might not appreciate Robbie Williams. Perhaps you believe he is the finest offering to music known to man. Or you could adopt a middle ground, admitting that some tracks are belting while others are poor.
The point being is that entertainment can take many forms. You like what you like. There is no one way to craft literature or even five-day cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of Test Cricket
The traditional format boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the playing is so dependent on the environment.
The weather, the session, the cricket ball – the variables are numerous. Most important is the playing surface.
If Test cricket is an artistic pursuit, the pitch is the canvas on which the cricketers paint their masterpiece.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test
The recent Melbourne match between Australia and England was an abstract version of cricket, the established format dismantled and stuck back together in a bizarre shape.
This is not a defence of the wicket which resulted in a win and the another short match of the contest.
Having 10mm of grass on the surface, causing numerous dismissals falling in less than six sessions, is not an even battle between batter and bowler.
A Varied History: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a inferior show, one that should be qualified as inauthentic, is wide of the mark.
The long game is a rich tapestry, a long history and still growing. Sometimes, as seen at the MCG, the ball behaves unpredictably for the fast men. Other times, it grips and turns on a spinning track. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it explodes.
The close matches are all the more thrilling because of the investment made during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The Real Challenge
Some factors are tolerated more easily than others.
The contention in Melbourne was that the balance was skewed excessively towards the attack. That the skilled individuals were hindered from showcasing their talents.
This level of cricket is about finding solutions – interpreting the wicket and responding accordingly. The two highest individual contributions were made by acknowledged players. One line-up was less disciplined than the other, and thus were defeated.
Sheer Celebration: For Those Who Waited
Attempt to convince the devotees who have suffered 18 winless matches that this wasn't compelling.
In a corner of the ground, countless fans made noise and sang their songs, producing a festive mood in a stronghold of national pride.
There was belief as the fielding side surged, momentum when the top order scored quickly, and rapturous celebration when the win was secured.
Polar Opposites: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The Melbourne has a history with difficult wickets. Previously, a match there featured a wicket with the excitement of a a non-event.
That fixture was a marathon, with limited drama and interminable tedium. This recent match and that previous match are diametrically opposed points of the range – both are not perfect, yet significance can be attached to each.
Deep into the series into the current series, it is the two-day matches that will remain iconic in the memory.
"This isn't the end of Test cricket at all," observed a past champion. "Fans who have been privileged to see these two days have been experienced some genuine drama. A unique show."
Baby Steps: Building for the Future
In the preparation to this Test, the leader talked like a man carrying the weight of the world on his mind.
The team responded for him, restoring the joy to his face.
Emerging talents performed with key contributions. These are baby steps, not nearly enough to ensure long-term futures, but something to build on.
At the very least, this triumph takes its place among other memorable performances in meaningless games.
As the fans departed into a stunning sunset, the squad congregated on the turf to begin their own enjoyment.
Savour the moment, lads. This victory was hard-fought.