In a display cabinet on the upper level of the Melbourne Cricket Ground sits a neon pink suit worn by the pop star. His concert in front of a massive crowd of fans was considered a success.
You might not like his music. Perhaps you believe he is the greatest gift to music known to man. You might take a reasonable stance, acknowledging that some songs are belting while others are poor.
The point being is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. You like what you like. There is not a single method to craft art or even the longest format.
The Incomparable Variety of Test Cricket
The traditional format boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the playing is so dependent on external factors.
The elements, the hour of play, the cricket ball – the factors are countless. Crucially is the wicket.
If the format is a form of art, the wicket is the foundation on which the players paint their masterpiece.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test
The Boxing Day fixture between the two sides was Test cricket cubism, the traditional sport taken to pieces and stuck back together in abstract form.
This is not a defence of the surface which resulted in a victory and the another sub-three-day finish of the contest.
Having excessive grass on the pitch, leading to 36 wickets being taken in less than six sessions, is not an even battle between bat and ball.
A Varied History: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a lesser event, one that should be qualified as inauthentic, is wide of the mark.
Test cricket is a rich tapestry, a long history and still growing. Sometimes, as witnessed recently, the ball does all sorts for the seamers. Sometimes, it spins sharply on a spinning track. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it spits like a cobra.
The close matches are even more exciting because of the investment made during quieter periods.
Problem Solving: The Real Challenge
Specific conditions are accepted more freely than others.
The contention in at the MCG was that the contest was weighted unfairly towards the bowlers. That the skilled individuals were unable from showcasing their talents.
This level of cricket is about finding solutions – assessing the situation and responding appropriately. The two highest individual contributions were made by world-class players. One team committed more errors than the other, and thus were defeated.
Unbridled Joy: The Fan Perspective
Go and inform the fans who have suffered years of defeat that this was not entertaining.
Among the crowd of the MCG, countless fans waved their flags and sang their songs, fostering a party atmosphere in a heartland of Australian cricket.
There was optimism as the bowlers surged, advantage when batters fought back, and pure joy when the win was confirmed.
Extreme Ends: The Range of Test Matches
The venue has a history with controversial surfaces. In the past, a match there featured a wicket with the character of a a non-event.
That fixture was a marathon, with limited drama and endless boredom. The two-day game and that slow Test are extreme ends of the range – one is not more perfect, yet historical weight can be found in each.
At this stage into the Ashes contest, it is the two-day matches that will be most remembered in the history books.
"This isn't the demise of the long game at all," said a former player. "Fans who have been lucky enough to see these short time have been treated to some genuine drama. A unique show."
Small Victories: Building for the Future
In the build-up to this match, the skipper spoke like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his back.
The players delivered for him, reinstating the smile to his persona.
Emerging talents stepped up with key contributions. These are small positives, certainly not enough to ensure long-term stability, but a foundation to build on.
Ultimately, this MCG win joins other memorable performances in dead rubbers.
As the fans left into a stunning sunset, the team assembled on the turf to commence their own enjoyment.
Celebrate the win, lads. It's well deserved.
