Displayed inside a glass case on the upper level of the Melbourne Cricket Ground rests a neon pink outfit worn by the pop star. The show in front of 100,024 fans was seen as a triumph.
You might not enjoy the performer. You might think he is the ultimate present to music known to man. You might take a balanced view, acknowledging that some tracks are excellent while others are poor.
The point being is that enjoyment can be delivered diversely. Preferences differ. There is not a single method to craft art or even five-day cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of The Test Format
Test cricket boasts unrivalled depth. One struggles to think of another sport where the playing is so dependent on conditions.
The elements, the session, the cricket ball – the variables are numerous. Most important is the pitch.
If the long game is art, the pitch is the foundation on which the players craft their legacy.
A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test
The fourth Ashes Test between the two sides was the game deconstructed, the established format broken apart and reconstructed in abstract form.
It must be stated this is not a endorsement of the surface which resulted in a victory and the another sub-three-day finish of the Ashes battle.
Having excessive grass on the wicket, leading to numerous dismissals falling in less than a brief period, is not an even battle between bat and ball.
A Varied History: The Core of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a lesser event, one that should be marked with an asterisk as not a proper Test, is incorrect.
Test cricket is a rich tapestry, 2,615 parts and still growing. At times, as seen at the MCG, the cricket ball behaves unpredictably for the fast men. Sometimes, it grips and turns on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is dead, other times it bounces unevenly.
The exciting finishes are particularly captivating owing to the investment committed during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The Real Challenge
Specific conditions are tolerated more readily than others.
The argument in at the MCG was that the equilibrium was tipped too far towards the bowlers. That the skilled individuals were hindered from demonstrating their skill.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – assessing the conditions and responding appropriately. The two highest individual innings were made by world-class players. One line-up committed more errors than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Sheer Celebration: The Supporters' View
Try telling the devotees who have suffered a long drought that this was not entertaining.
In a corner of the ground, a sea of people waved their flags and created an atmosphere, generating a party atmosphere in a bastion of sport.
There was hope as the fielding side surged, impetus when players fought back, and unconditional love when the win was achieved.
Polar Opposites: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The MCG has a history with difficult wickets. Previously, a game there featured a strip with the character of a a non-event.
That match was a slog, with few wickets and interminable tedium. The two-day game and that drawn affair are polar opposites of the range – neither ideal, yet historical weight can be attached to both.
Deep into the series into the Ashes contest, it is the two-day matches that will remain iconic in the history books.
"Far from being the end of the long game at all," said a veteran. "Spectators who have been privileged to see these short time have been given some real entertainment. An unusual spectacle."
Baby Steps: Looking Ahead
In the preparation to this match, the captain spoke like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his back.
The players responded for him, bringing back the smile to his persona.
New faces delivered with vital performances. These are small positives, certainly not enough to secure long-term futures, but a foundation to use as a platform.
Ultimately, this MCG win joins other historic performances in dead rubbers.
As the supporters departed into a glorious Melbourne evening, the team congregated on the field to commence their own enjoyment.
Enjoy the drink, boys. This victory was hard-fought.
