Within a showcase on the third floor of the MCG is housed a electric pink outfit worn by the pop star. His performance in front of a hundred thousand attendees was hailed as a triumph.
It's possible you like the performer. Maybe you feel he is the finest offering to music in history. Or you could adopt a reasonable stance, acknowledging that some tracks are fantastic while others are poor.
The point being is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. Tastes vary. There is not a single method to produce literature or even Test cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of Test Cricket
The traditional format boasts unrivalled depth. One struggles to think of another sport where the contest is so reliant upon external factors.
The elements, the hour of play, the red ball – the variables are numerous. Above all is the pitch.
If the format is art, the pitch is the foundation on which the athletes create their art.
An Abstract Contest: The MCG Match
The Boxing Day fixture between the two sides was Test cricket cubism, the traditional sport broken apart and stuck back together in an unusual manner.
Let's be clear, this isn't a endorsement of the wicket which resulted in a victory and the another sub-three-day finish of the series.
Having a thick layer on the surface, leading to numerous dismissals tumbling in less than a brief period, is not an even battle between offense and defense.
A Varied History: The Core of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be marked with an asterisk as inauthentic, is mistaken.
The long game is a rich tapestry, a long history and still growing. Sometimes, as seen at the MCG, the cricket ball moves excessively for the fast men. Other times, it grips and turns on a spinning track. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it spits like a cobra.
The close matches are particularly captivating because of the investment made during quieter periods.
Problem Solving: The Real Challenge
Specific conditions are embraced more freely than others.
The contention in Melbourne was that the contest was tipped too far towards the attack. That the top batters were prevented from showcasing their talents.
Test cricket is about adapting to challenges – interpreting the conditions and adjusting appropriately. The best individual scores were made by world-class batters. One team was less disciplined than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Sheer Celebration: The Fan Perspective
Attempt to convince the fans who have experienced a long drought that this wasn't compelling.
Among the crowd of the ground, a sea of people made noise and created an atmosphere, producing a carnival vibe in a stronghold of sport.
There was optimism as the fielding side excelled, advantage when the top order responded, and pure joy when the result was achieved.
Polar Opposites: The Range of Test Matches
The venue has form with controversial surfaces. Eight years ago, a game there featured a strip with the character of a a damp squib.
That match was a slog, with limited drama and interminable tedium. The latest encounter and that slow Test are polar opposites of the spectrum – both are not perfect, yet historical weight can be found in each.
At this stage into the Ashes contest, it is the two-day matches that will be most remembered in the memory.
"This isn't the death of the long game at all," said a former player. "The people who have been privileged to see these 48 hours have been experienced some real entertainment. Different entertainment."
Small Victories: A Glimmer of Hope
In the build-up to this Test, the leader spoke like a man carrying the heavy burden on his back.
The players protected him, bringing back the positive demeanor to his countenance.
Different players stepped up with crucial roles. These are incremental gains, not nearly enough to guarantee long-term success, but a foundation to use as a platform.
In the end, this Melbourne victory joins other memorable performances in meaningless games.
As the fans slipped away into a beautiful night, the team gathered on the outfield to begin their own festivities.
Savour the moment, men. This victory was hard-fought.
