In a glass case on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium sits a vibrant pink suit worn by the entertainer. His show in front of 100,024 fans was hailed as a success.
Perhaps you don't enjoy the performer. You might think he is the ultimate present to music in history. You might take a balanced view, admitting that some tracks are belting while others are awful.
The point being is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. You like what you like. There is no universal formula to craft literature or even the longest format.
The Unrivalled Depth of Test Cricket
The five-day game boasts incomparable variety. It is hard to think of another sport where the playing is so reliant upon conditions.
The weather, the session, the red ball – the factors are countless. Crucially is the pitch.
If Test cricket is art, the wicket is the canvas on which the players paint their masterpiece.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Melbourne Spectacle
The recent Melbourne match between Australia and England was the game deconstructed, the traditional sport taken to pieces and reconstructed in abstract form.
It must be stated this is not a justification of the wicket which yielded a victory and the second two-day Test of the Ashes battle.
Having a thick layer on the wicket, resulting in a cascade of wickets being taken in less than six sessions, is not a fair contest between batter and bowler.
A Diverse Legacy: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be qualified as inauthentic, is mistaken.
The format is a rich tapestry, a long history and ongoing. At times, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball does all sorts for the seamers. Sometimes, it turns square on a dust bowl. At other venues, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it bounces unevenly.
The thrillers are particularly captivating owing to the patience committed in other matches.
Adjustment: The Core Skill
Certain variables are accepted more freely than others.
The argument in Melbourne was that the equilibrium was tipped too far towards the bowlers. That the skilled individuals were unable from demonstrating their skill.
The format is about finding solutions – reading the situation and adjusting appropriately. The best individual scores were made by world-class stars. One side committed more errors than the other, and thus were defeated.
Unbridled Joy: The Fan Perspective
Attempt to convince the fans who have suffered years of defeat that this wasn't compelling.
In one section of the stadium, a sea of people made noise and chanted, producing a party atmosphere in a bastion of Australian cricket.
There was optimism as the fielding side dominated, impetus when the top order scored quickly, and rapturous celebration when the victory was secured.
Extreme Ends: The Variety of Test Matches
The MCG has form with difficult wickets. Previously, a Test there featured a strip with the excitement of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That fixture was a grind, with minimal action and endless boredom. This recent match and that slow Test are diametrically opposed points of the scale – neither perfect, yet significance can be ascribed to each.
Four Tests into the ongoing battle, it is the quick finishes that will remain iconic in the history books.
"Far from being the death of the format at all," said a past champion. "Fans who have been fortunate to see these short time have been experienced some genuine drama. An unusual spectacle."
Small Victories: Looking Ahead
In the build-up to this Test, the leader addressed the media like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his back.
The squad responded for him, bringing back the positive demeanor to his countenance.
Different players delivered with crucial roles. These are small positives, not nearly enough to guarantee long-term futures, but a foundation to build on.
Ultimately, this triumph takes its place among other historic performances in meaningless games.
As the fans left into a stunning sunset, the squad assembled on the turf to commence their own festivities.
Celebrate the win, men. It's well deserved.
