In a display cabinet on the upper level of the MCG sits a vibrant pink suit donned by the pop star. His concert in front of 100,024 attendees was considered a success.
You might not appreciate the performer. Perhaps you believe he is the ultimate present to music the world has ever seen. Alternatively, you may hold a reasonable stance, acknowledging that some songs are fantastic while others are poor.
The key argument is that entertainment can be delivered diversely. Preferences differ. There is no one way to produce art or even five-day cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Test Format
The five-day game boasts peerless complexity. One struggles to think of another sport where the playing is so dictated by external factors.
The elements, the time of day, the red ball – the variables are numerous. Above all is the wicket.
If Test cricket is an artistic pursuit, the pitch is the canvas on which the athletes craft their legacy.
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 reassembled in an unusual manner.
It must be stated this is not a endorsement of the wicket which yielded a win and the another sub-three-day finish of the Ashes battle.
Allowing excessive grass on the surface, resulting in numerous dismissals being taken in less than two days, is not a balanced duel between batter and bowler.
A Rich Tapestry: The Core of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a lesser event, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is mistaken.
The long game is a rich tapestry, a long history and ongoing. On occasion, as witnessed recently, the ball does all sorts for the seamers. Other times, it grips and turns on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it explodes.
The exciting finishes are even more exciting because of the investment committed elsewhere.
Problem Solving: The Real Challenge
Some factors are tolerated more freely than others.
The argument in during the match was that the equilibrium was skewed excessively towards the fielding side. That the top batters were prevented from demonstrating their skill.
The format is about adapting to challenges – reading the conditions and adjusting effectively. The best individual innings were made by acknowledged stars. One side committed more errors than the other, and thus were defeated.
Unbridled Joy: For Those Who Waited
Attempt to convince the fans who have suffered a long drought that this wasn't compelling.
In a corner of the stadium, thousands celebrated and sang their songs, producing a carnival vibe in a bastion of sport.
There was optimism as the fielding side dominated, impetus when players scored quickly, and rapturous celebration when the victory was confirmed.
Contrasting Examples: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The venue has form with pitch problems. In the past, a match there featured a wicket with the character of a a non-event.
That fixture was a grind, with few wickets and endless boredom. The two-day game and that slow Test are extreme ends of the range – one is not more the standard, yet value can be found in each.
Deep into the series into the Ashes contest, it is the two-day matches that will live longest in the memory.
"Far from being the end of the format at all," observed a former player. "Fans who have been lucky enough to see these 48 hours have been experienced some real entertainment. An unusual spectacle."
Signs of Progress: Looking Ahead
In the build-up to this match, the skipper addressed the media like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his shoulders.
The squad delivered for him, reinstating the positive demeanor to his face.
Emerging talents stepped up with vital performances. These are small positives, hardly enough to ensure long-term success, but a starting point to build on.
At the very least, this Melbourne victory is added to other notable performances in similar circumstances.
As the supporters slipped away into a stunning sunset, the team gathered on the turf to begin their own celebrations.
Enjoy the drink, men. It's well deserved.
