Displayed inside a glass case on the upper level of the Melbourne Cricket Ground rests a vibrant pink outfit worn by the entertainer. The performance in front of a hundred thousand spectators was seen as a triumph.
Perhaps you don't enjoy his music. You might think he is the ultimate present to music the world has ever seen. You might take a balanced view, acknowledging that some tracks are belting while others are terrible.
The key argument is that amusement can manifest in countless ways. Preferences differ. There is no universal formula to create art or even five-day cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Test Format
The traditional format boasts peerless complexity. One struggles to think of another sport where the playing is so dictated by conditions.
The weather, the time of day, the red ball – the variables are numerous. Above all is the pitch.
If Test cricket is an artistic pursuit, the pitch is the blank slate on which the players paint their masterpiece.
A Test of Cubism: The MCG Match
The fourth Ashes Test between the two sides was the game deconstructed, the great game broken apart and reassembled in abstract form.
This is not a endorsement of the surface which yielded a win and the second two-day Test of the contest.
Allowing 10mm of grass on the surface, leading to a cascade of wickets being taken in less than six sessions, is not a balanced duel between batter and bowler.
A Diverse Legacy: The Core of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a lesser event, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is mistaken.
Test cricket is a varied portfolio, a long history and counting. On occasion, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball moves excessively for the fast men. Sometimes, it turns square on a spinning track. At other venues, the pitch is dead, other times it spits like a cobra.
The exciting finishes are particularly captivating due to the patience committed elsewhere.
Adaptation: The Real Challenge
Specific conditions are tolerated more easily than others.
The contention in at the MCG was that the equilibrium was weighted unfairly towards the attack. That the best players were prevented from showcasing their talents.
The format is about adapting to challenges – interpreting the conditions and adjusting effectively. The best individual contributions were made by recognized batters. One side made more mistakes than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Pure Elation: The Supporters' View
Try telling the fans who have experienced a long drought that this was not entertaining.
In a corner of the ground, a sea of people waved their flags and sang their songs, producing a festive mood in a heartland of sport.
There was optimism as the bowlers dominated, advantage when the top order responded, and pure joy when the victory was confirmed.
Polar Opposites: The Range of Test Matches
The venue has previous experience with controversial surfaces. Previously, a match there featured a wicket with the excitement of a a damp squib.
That contest was a slog, with few wickets and slow play. The two-day game and that previous match are extreme ends of the scale – neither ideal, yet significance can be ascribed to both.
Deep into the series into the ongoing battle, it is the shortest games that will live longest in the collective consciousness.
"This isn't the end of Test cricket at all," said a former player. "The people who have been privileged to see these short time have been treated to some real entertainment. A unique show."
Signs of Progress: A Glimmer of Hope
In the build-up to this Test, the skipper addressed the media like a man carrying the heavy burden on his back.
The players protected him, restoring the positive demeanor to his persona.
Different players performed with crucial roles. These are baby steps, not nearly enough to ensure long-term stability, but a foundation to build on.
In the end, this Melbourne victory takes its place among other memorable performances in similar circumstances.
As the supporters departed into a glorious Melbourne evening, the players assembled on the turf to start their own festivities.
Celebrate the win, men. You've earned this one.
