In a glass case on the third floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium is housed a neon pink suit donned by the pop star. His show in front of a hundred thousand spectators was hailed as a triumph.
You might not enjoy the performer. You might think he is the greatest gift to music known to man. Alternatively, you may hold a middle ground, admitting that some songs are fantastic while others are awful.
The central idea is that amusement can take many forms. Preferences differ. There is no universal formula to create literature or even Test cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of The Test Format
Test cricket boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the playing is so dependent on conditions.
The climate, the hour of play, the cricket ball – the variables are numerous. Above all is the pitch.
If the long game is a form of art, the pitch is the canvas on which the cricketers create their art.
A Broken-Down Battle: The MCG Match
The fourth Ashes Test between the two sides was the game deconstructed, the established format taken to pieces and reconstructed in an unusual manner.
This is not a endorsement of the wicket which yielded a win and the another sub-three-day finish of the Ashes battle.
Allowing a thick layer on the surface, causing 36 wickets being taken in less than six sessions, is not a fair contest between bat and ball.
A Rich Tapestry: The Core of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be marked with an asterisk as inauthentic, is mistaken.
Test cricket is a rich tapestry, 2,615 parts and still growing. At times, as seen at the MCG, the cricket ball moves excessively for the fast men. In contrast, it grips and turns on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it spits like a cobra.
The thrillers are even more exciting owing to the time committed elsewhere.
Adjustment: The Core Skill
Some factors are accepted more freely than others.
The contention in Melbourne was that the equilibrium was tipped too far towards the fielding side. That the best players were unable from showcasing their talents.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – interpreting the conditions and adjusting appropriately. The best individual scores were made by recognized batters. One side was less disciplined than the other, and thus lost.
Sheer Celebration: The Supporters' View
Go and inform the devotees who have experienced a long drought that this wasn't compelling.
In a corner of the stadium, thousands celebrated and created an atmosphere, fostering a carnival vibe in a heartland of sport.
There was optimism as the fielding side excelled, momentum when the top order fought back, and pure joy when the victory was secured.
Polar Opposites: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The Melbourne has a history with pitch problems. In the past, a game there featured a strip with all the life of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That contest was a slog, with minimal action and slow play. The latest encounter and that previous match are polar opposites of the scale – one is not more ideal, yet historical weight can be ascribed to each.
At this stage into the current series, it is the quick finishes that will be most remembered in the collective consciousness.
"Far from being the end of the long game at all," commented a past champion. "Spectators who have been lucky enough to see these short time have been treated to some real entertainment. A unique show."
Signs of Progress: A Glimmer of Hope
In the preparation to this Test, the skipper talked like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his mind.
The team delivered for him, restoring the positive demeanor to his countenance.
New faces performed with key contributions. These are incremental gains, not nearly enough to secure long-term success, but a foundation to develop from.
At the very least, this MCG win takes its place among other notable performances in meaningless games.
As the supporters departed into a stunning sunset, the squad gathered on the outfield to start their own festivities.
Enjoy the drink, men. This victory was hard-fought.
