In a showcase on the upper level of the MCG is housed a vibrant pink outfit donned by the pop star. His show in front of a massive crowd of spectators was hailed as a success.
Perhaps you don't appreciate Robbie Williams. You might think he is the greatest gift to music known to man. You might take a balanced view, conceding that some hits are excellent while others are terrible.
The point being is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. Tastes vary. There is no universal formula to create music or even Test cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of Test Cricket
Test cricket boasts incomparable variety. It is hard to think of another sport where the outcome is so dictated by conditions.
The climate, the hour of play, the cricket ball – the factors are countless. Crucially is the wicket.
If the format is an artistic pursuit, the pitch is the foundation on which the athletes paint their masterpiece.
A Broken-Down Battle: The MCG Match
The recent Melbourne match between the two sides was an abstract version of cricket, the traditional sport dismantled and stuck back together in a bizarre shape.
This is not a endorsement of the wicket which produced a triumph and the second two-day Test of the series.
Having excessive grass on the wicket, leading to numerous dismissals tumbling in less than six sessions, is not a balanced duel between batter and bowler.
A Varied History: The Core of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be qualified as inauthentic, is mistaken.
The long game is a rich tapestry, 2,615 parts and still growing. On occasion, like in Melbourne, the ball behaves unpredictably for the seamers. In contrast, it spins sharply on a dust bowl. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it bounces unevenly.
The thrillers are even more exciting due to the patience made elsewhere.
Adjustment: The True Test
Certain variables are embraced more easily than others.
The debate in during the match was that the balance was weighted unfairly towards the attack. That the top batters were prevented from showcasing their talents.
This level of cricket is about adapting to challenges – reading the situation and adjusting accordingly. The top two individual scores were made by acknowledged stars. One side was less disciplined than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Pure Elation: The Fan Perspective
Attempt to convince the supporters who have endured a long drought that this was not entertaining.
Among the crowd of the stadium, thousands celebrated and created an atmosphere, producing a festive mood in a stronghold of Australian cricket.
There was hope as the attack surged, advantage when players scored quickly, and unconditional love when the victory was achieved.
Extreme Ends: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The venue has previous experience with difficult wickets. Eight years ago, a match there featured a strip with the excitement of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That fixture was a grind, with limited drama and slow play. The latest encounter and that previous match are diametrically opposed points of the scale – neither the standard, yet value can be ascribed to them.
At this stage into the Ashes contest, it is the shortest games that will remain iconic in the memory.
"Far from being the end of Test cricket at all," said a veteran. "The people who have been fortunate to see these 48 hours have been treated to some fantastic sport. Different entertainment."
Signs of Progress: A Glimmer of Hope
In the preparation to this match, the leader spoke like a man carrying the weight of the world on his back.
The team responded for him, restoring the smile to his face.
Emerging talents stepped up with crucial roles. These are baby steps, hardly enough to ensure long-term futures, but something to develop from.
At the very least, this triumph joins other historic performances in dead rubbers.
As the crowd left into a stunning sunset, the players gathered on the turf to start their own celebrations.
Enjoy the drink, boys. This victory was hard-fought.
