Within a display cabinet on the upper level of the MCG rests a electric pink suit performed in by the pop star. The show in front of 100,024 fans was hailed as a triumph.
It's possible you appreciate Robbie Williams. Perhaps you believe he is the ultimate present to music in history. Alternatively, you may hold a middle ground, conceding that some songs are belting while others are terrible.
The key argument is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. You like what you like. There is no universal formula to craft music or even Test cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of Test Cricket
The traditional format boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the contest is so dependent on conditions.
The elements, the hour of play, the ball – the variables are numerous. Above all is the pitch.
If the format is a form of art, the wicket is the canvas on which the players craft their legacy.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test
The fourth Ashes Test between the two sides was Test cricket cubism, the great game taken to pieces and reassembled in an unusual manner.
This is not a justification of the wicket which produced a victory and the another sub-three-day finish of the contest.
Allowing 10mm of grass on the wicket, causing 36 wickets being taken in less than two days, is not an even battle between bat and ball.
A Varied History: The Core of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a lesser event, one that should be marked with an asterisk as inauthentic, is incorrect.
Test cricket is a diverse canvas, 2,615 parts and ongoing. On occasion, as witnessed recently, the ball moves excessively for the fast men. Sometimes, it grips and turns on a spinning track. At other venues, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it bounces unevenly.
The thrillers are even more exciting because of the time devoted elsewhere.
Adaptation: The Real Challenge
Some factors are embraced more easily than others.
The argument in at the MCG was that the balance was skewed excessively towards the bowlers. That the top batters were prevented from demonstrating their skill.
The format is about problem solving – interpreting the situation and adapting appropriately. The best individual scores were made by recognized stars. One line-up committed more errors than the other, and thus were defeated.
Pure Elation: The Supporters' View
Try telling the supporters who have experienced a long drought that this wasn't compelling.
In a corner of the ground, a sea of people made noise and created an atmosphere, generating a carnival vibe in a heartland of national pride.
There was optimism as the bowlers surged, momentum when the top order responded, and pure joy when the victory was confirmed.
Extreme Ends: The Variety of Test Matches
The Melbourne has a history with pitch problems. Previously, a Test there featured a strip with the excitement of a a damp squib.
That fixture was a marathon, with minimal action and interminable tedium. The latest encounter and that previous match are diametrically opposed points of the spectrum – both are not the standard, yet value can be ascribed to both.
At this stage into the current series, it is the shortest games that will remain iconic in the collective consciousness.
"Far from being the demise of Test cricket at all," said a former player. "Fans who have been fortunate to see these 48 hours have been treated to some fantastic sport. A unique show."
Signs of Progress: A Glimmer of Hope
In the build-up to this Test, the leader addressed the media like a man carrying the weight of the world on his mind.
The team protected him, restoring the smile to his persona.
New faces performed with crucial roles. These are incremental gains, hardly enough to ensure long-term futures, but a foundation to use as a platform.
At the very least, this MCG win takes its place among other historic performances in dead rubbers.
As the fans slipped away into a stunning sunset, the players congregated on the outfield to start their own festivities.
Savour the moment, men. It's well deserved.
