Within a display cabinet on the third floor of the MCG sits a vibrant pink ensemble donned by the pop star. His show in front of a hundred thousand attendees was seen as a triumph.
Perhaps you don't enjoy the performer. Perhaps you believe he is the finest offering to music in history. Or you could adopt a middle ground, admitting that some tracks are excellent while others are poor.
The point being is that entertainment can be delivered diversely. Tastes vary. There is no one way to produce art or even five-day cricket.
The Peerless Spectrum of The Test Format
The traditional format boasts peerless complexity. It is hard to think of another sport where the outcome is so dependent on conditions.
The climate, the time of day, the ball – the factors are countless. Most important is the pitch.
If the format is an artistic pursuit, the strip is the foundation on which the athletes craft their legacy.
An Abstract Contest: The Melbourne Spectacle
The fourth Ashes Test between the old rivals was the game deconstructed, the established format dismantled and reconstructed in an unusual manner.
Let's be clear, this isn't a endorsement of the surface which yielded a triumph and the second two-day Test of the Ashes battle.
Having a thick layer on the pitch, leading to numerous dismissals being taken in less than a brief period, is not a fair contest between bat and ball.
A Varied History: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a inferior show, one that should be footnoted as inauthentic, is incorrect.
The long game is a rich tapestry, 2,615 parts and still growing. At times, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball moves excessively for the fast men. In contrast, it spins sharply on a dust bowl. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it spits like a cobra.
The exciting finishes are even more exciting due to the patience made in other matches.
Adjustment: The Core Skill
Certain variables are accepted more easily than others.
The contention in at the MCG was that the balance was tipped too far towards the attack. That the best players were unable from showcasing their talents.
This level of cricket is about finding solutions – reading the situation and responding effectively. The best individual innings were made by world-class stars. One line-up made more mistakes than the other, and thus were defeated.
Unbridled Joy: For Those Who Waited
Go and inform the devotees who have experienced 18 winless matches that this lacked spectacle.
In one section of the MCG, thousands celebrated and sang their songs, producing a festive mood in a stronghold of Australian cricket.
There was optimism as the fielding side surged, impetus when batters responded, and unconditional love when the result was secured.
Contrasting Examples: The Variety of Test Matches
The MCG has form with difficult wickets. In the past, a match there featured a pitch with all the life of a a non-event.
That fixture was a grind, with limited drama and endless boredom. This recent match and that slow Test are diametrically opposed points of the scale – both are not ideal, yet significance can be ascribed to each.
At this stage into the current series, it is the quick finishes that will remain iconic in the memory.
"It's not the death of the format at all," observed a past champion. "The people who have been privileged to see these 48 hours have been treated to some real entertainment. Different entertainment."
Signs of Progress: A Glimmer of Hope
In the lead-in to this match, the skipper spoke like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his mind.
The squad protected him, bringing back the positive demeanor to his countenance.
Different players delivered with crucial roles. These are incremental gains, not nearly enough to ensure long-term success, but something to use as a platform.
Ultimately, this MCG win joins other memorable performances in meaningless games.
As the supporters departed into a stunning sunset, the squad assembled on the turf to begin their own festivities.
Enjoy the drink, boys. This victory was hard-fought.