In a glass case on the elevated floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium is housed a neon pink suit worn by the pop star. His concert in front of a hundred thousand attendees was seen as a success.
Perhaps you don't appreciate his music. Perhaps you believe he is the finest offering to music in history. You might take a middle ground, conceding that some tracks are excellent while others are terrible.
The point being is that amusement can manifest in countless ways. Tastes vary. There is no one way to produce music or even the longest format.
The Peerless Spectrum of The Test Format
The traditional format boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the contest is so dependent on external factors.
The climate, the session, the red ball – the factors are countless. Most important is the wicket.
If Test cricket is a form of art, the wicket is the foundation on which the athletes create their art.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Melbourne Spectacle
The Boxing Day fixture between the two sides was Test cricket cubism, the established format taken to pieces and stuck back together in an unusual manner.
It must be stated this is not a defence of the pitch which produced a triumph and the another sub-three-day finish of the Ashes battle.
Leaving excessive grass on the wicket, resulting in numerous dismissals being taken in less than six sessions, is not a balanced duel between bat and ball.
A Varied History: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a inferior show, one that should be qualified as inauthentic, is incorrect.
The format is a diverse canvas, over two thousand matches and still growing. At times, as seen at the MCG, the ball does all sorts for the fast men. In contrast, it spins sharply on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.
The close matches are particularly captivating owing to the time made elsewhere.
Adaptation: The Real Challenge
Certain variables are accepted more readily than others.
The argument in at the MCG was that the equilibrium was tipped too far towards the bowlers. That the top batters were unable from demonstrating their skill.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – assessing the conditions and responding effectively. The top two individual contributions were made by world-class stars. One team committed more errors than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Sheer Celebration: For Those Who Waited
Go and inform the supporters who have suffered a long drought that this wasn't compelling.
In a corner of the MCG, countless fans made noise and sang their songs, generating a party atmosphere in a stronghold of Australian cricket.
There was optimism as the fielding side surged, momentum when batters responded, and rapturous celebration when the win was achieved.
Contrasting Examples: The Variety of Test Matches
The MCG has a history with pitch problems. In the past, a game there featured a pitch with all the life of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That contest was a marathon, with minimal action and endless boredom. This recent match and that slow Test are extreme ends of the spectrum – neither perfect, yet value can be found in them.
Deep into the series into the ongoing battle, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the collective consciousness.
"Far from being the death of Test cricket at all," observed a past champion. "Spectators who have been privileged to see these 48 hours have been experienced some fantastic sport. Different entertainment."
Baby Steps: Looking Ahead
In the preparation to this match, the leader addressed the media like a man carrying the heavy burden on his back.
The team delivered for him, restoring the positive demeanor to his persona.
Different players delivered with crucial roles. These are incremental gains, certainly not enough to secure long-term stability, but a starting point to build on.
Ultimately, this MCG win is added to other notable performances in meaningless games.
As the crowd left into a glorious Melbourne evening, the team assembled on the turf to start their own enjoyment.
Enjoy the drink, lads. This victory was hard-fought.
