Within a glass case on the third floor of the MCG rests a vibrant pink ensemble worn by Robbie Williams. His show in front of 100,024 spectators was considered a major hit.
It's possible you appreciate his music. You might think he is the finest offering to music in history. Alternatively, you may hold a middle ground, acknowledging that some tracks are fantastic while others are terrible.
The central idea is that entertainment can be delivered diversely. Tastes vary. There is no universal formula to produce art or even Test cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of Test Cricket
The traditional format boasts peerless complexity. One struggles to think of another sport where the contest is so dictated by the environment.
The climate, the time of day, the red ball – the list is endless. Above all is the pitch.
If Test cricket is a form of art, the wicket is the foundation on which the players paint their masterpiece.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test
The recent Melbourne match between Australia and England was Test cricket cubism, the traditional sport dismantled and reconstructed in abstract form.
This is not a defence of the surface which produced a win and the another sub-three-day finish of the Ashes battle.
Having 10mm of grass on the pitch, resulting in numerous dismissals being taken in less than six sessions, is not an even battle between batter and bowler.
A Diverse Legacy: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a lesser event, one that should be marked with an asterisk as illegitimate, is incorrect.
The format is a varied portfolio, a long history and ongoing. At times, as witnessed recently, the ball moves excessively for the fast men. Sometimes, it turns square on a dust bowl. Sometimes, the pitch is dead, other times it explodes.
The exciting finishes are particularly captivating owing to the investment committed during quieter periods.
Problem Solving: The Core Skill
Specific conditions are embraced more easily than others.
The contention in Melbourne was that the contest was skewed excessively towards the bowlers. That the skilled individuals were prevented from demonstrating their skill.
This level of cricket is about finding solutions – reading the wicket and adjusting accordingly. The best individual scores were made by world-class players. One side made more mistakes than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Pure Elation: For Those Who Waited
Try telling the devotees who have endured a long drought that this lacked spectacle.
In a corner of the ground, thousands waved their flags and created an atmosphere, producing a festive mood in a heartland of sport.
There was belief as the attack surged, momentum when players scored quickly, and pure joy when the result was achieved.
Polar Opposites: The Variety of Test Matches
The venue has form with pitch problems. Eight years ago, a Test there featured a wicket with the character of a a non-event.
That match was a slog, with few wickets and endless boredom. The two-day game and that slow Test are extreme ends of the scale – one is not more ideal, yet value can be attached to each.
At this stage into the Ashes contest, it is the quick finishes that will remain iconic in the memory.
"Far from being the demise of Test cricket at all," commented a past champion. "The people who have been lucky enough to see these 48 hours have been experienced some real entertainment. A unique show."
Baby Steps: A Glimmer of Hope
In the lead-in to this match, the skipper spoke like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his shoulders.
The squad delivered for him, restoring the smile to his persona.
Different players delivered with key contributions. These are baby steps, hardly enough to ensure long-term stability, but something to use as a platform.
In the end, this MCG win joins other notable performances in similar circumstances.
As the supporters left into a glorious Melbourne evening, the players gathered on the outfield to start their own celebrations.
Savour the moment, lads. It's well deserved.
