Displayed inside a showcase on the third floor of the MCG sits a neon pink suit donned by the entertainer. The performance in front of a hundred thousand spectators was considered a major hit.
You might not enjoy Robbie Williams. Maybe you feel he is the greatest gift to music known to man. Alternatively, you may hold a reasonable stance, acknowledging that some songs are excellent while others are terrible.
The key argument is that amusement can be delivered diversely. Preferences differ. There is not a single method to produce literature or even the longest format.
The Peerless Spectrum of The Test Format
The five-day game boasts incomparable variety. It's difficult to think of another sport where the contest is so dependent on the environment.
The elements, the time of day, the red ball – the variables are numerous. Most important is the pitch.
If Test cricket is an artistic pursuit, the strip is the foundation on which the athletes craft their legacy.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test
The Boxing Day fixture between Australia and England was Test cricket cubism, the traditional sport dismantled and stuck back together in abstract form.
This is not a endorsement of the wicket which resulted in a victory and the another sub-three-day finish of the series.
Having a thick layer on the pitch, causing numerous dismissals tumbling in less than two days, is not a balanced duel between offense and defense.
A Rich Tapestry: The Core of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a lesser event, one that should be qualified as inauthentic, is mistaken.
The format is a diverse canvas, a long history and ongoing. At times, as witnessed recently, the ball behaves unpredictably for the fast men. Other times, it grips and turns on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it explodes.
The exciting finishes are even more exciting because of the patience committed during quieter periods.
Problem Solving: The True Test
Some factors are accepted more readily than others.
The contention in during the match was that the equilibrium was weighted unfairly towards the fielding side. That the best players were hindered from demonstrating their skill.
This level of cricket is about finding solutions – assessing the conditions and responding accordingly. The two highest individual contributions were made by recognized stars. One team made more mistakes than the other, and thus lost.
Sheer Celebration: The Supporters' View
Go and inform the supporters who have endured years of defeat that this wasn't compelling.
In one section of the MCG, a sea of people waved their flags and created an atmosphere, generating a carnival vibe in a heartland of Australian cricket.
There was optimism as the bowlers surged, impetus when the top order fought back, and unconditional love when the result was confirmed.
Extreme Ends: The Variety of Test Matches
The venue has previous experience with pitch problems. Previously, a game there featured a wicket with the character of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That contest was a slog, with limited drama and endless boredom. The two-day game and that previous match are polar opposites of the scale – both are not the standard, yet significance can be attached to each.
Deep into the series into the Ashes contest, it is the quick finishes that will remain iconic in the history books.
"It's not the death of the long game at all," said a past champion. "The people who have been lucky enough to see these 48 hours have been given some real entertainment. Different entertainment."
Baby Steps: Building for the Future
In the build-up to this Test, the skipper addressed the media like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his shoulders.
The squad protected him, restoring the positive demeanor to his persona.
Different players stepped up with vital performances. These are small positives, certainly not enough to ensure long-term futures, but something to develop from.
Ultimately, this Melbourne victory takes its place among other notable performances in dead rubbers.
As the supporters departed into a glorious Melbourne evening, the players assembled on the turf to begin their own enjoyment.
Enjoy the drink, boys. You've earned this one.
