Displayed inside a glass case on the upper level of the Melbourne Cricket Ground sits a neon pink outfit performed in by the pop star. The performance in front of a hundred thousand fans was seen as a success.
You might not enjoy the performer. Maybe you feel he is the greatest gift to music in history. You might take a reasonable stance, acknowledging that some hits are excellent while others are terrible.
The key argument is that enjoyment can manifest in countless ways. Tastes vary. There is not a single method to create literature or even five-day cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of Test Cricket
Test cricket boasts incomparable variety. It's difficult to think of another sport where the outcome is so dependent on external factors.
The elements, the hour of play, the ball – the list is endless. Above all is the pitch.
If the long game is an artistic pursuit, the pitch is the foundation on which the players paint their masterpiece.
A Test of Cubism: The Melbourne Spectacle
The fourth Ashes Test between the two sides was the game deconstructed, the established format dismantled and reconstructed in a bizarre shape.
This is not a justification of the wicket which produced a win and the second two-day Test of the series.
Allowing 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 Core of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a lesser event, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is mistaken.
The long game is a diverse canvas, over two thousand matches and still growing. Sometimes, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball does all sorts for the seamers. In contrast, it turns square on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it explodes.
The thrillers are particularly captivating due to the time devoted during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The True Test
Certain variables are embraced more easily than others.
The contention in at the MCG was that the balance was weighted unfairly towards the attack. That the top batters were unable from showcasing their talents.
This level of cricket is about finding solutions – interpreting the situation and responding accordingly. The best individual contributions were made by acknowledged players. One line-up made more mistakes than the other, and thus lost.
Pure Elation: For Those Who Waited
Try telling the supporters who have experienced a long drought that this lacked spectacle.
In one section of the MCG, countless fans made noise and chanted, generating a carnival vibe in a stronghold of national pride.
There was optimism as the bowlers dominated, advantage when batters fought back, and pure joy when the victory was confirmed.
Polar Opposites: The Variety of Test Matches
The venue has previous experience with controversial surfaces. Previously, a game there featured a wicket with all the life of a a non-event.
That match was a grind, with limited drama and interminable tedium. This recent match and that previous match are diametrically opposed points of the spectrum – neither ideal, yet value can be ascribed to each.
Deep into the series into the current series, it is the quick finishes that will remain iconic in the memory.
"Far from being the demise of the format at all," commented a past champion. "Spectators who have been privileged to see these 48 hours have been treated to some genuine drama. A unique show."
Baby Steps: Looking Ahead
In the build-up to this match, the captain spoke like a man carrying the heavy burden on his back.
The players responded for him, bringing back the smile to his persona.
New faces delivered with crucial roles. These are baby steps, not nearly enough to guarantee long-term success, but something to build on.
In the end, this MCG win takes its place among other memorable performances in meaningless games.
As the crowd departed into a glorious Melbourne evening, the players congregated on the outfield to start their own festivities.
Celebrate the win, lads. This victory was hard-fought.
