In a glass case on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium is housed a vibrant pink ensemble donned by the entertainer. The show in front of a hundred thousand spectators was hailed as a triumph.
Perhaps you don't enjoy his music. You might think he is the ultimate present to music known to man. Alternatively, you may hold a middle ground, acknowledging that some songs are belting while others are terrible.
The point being is that entertainment can be delivered diversely. You like what you like. There is no universal formula to create literature or even Test cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of Test Cricket
Test cricket boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the playing is so reliant upon conditions.
The climate, the hour of play, the cricket ball – the variables are numerous. Most important is the playing surface.
If the long game is art, the strip is the foundation on which the athletes craft their legacy.
A Test of Cubism: The Melbourne Spectacle
The Boxing Day fixture between Australia and England was the game deconstructed, the traditional sport dismantled and reconstructed in an unusual manner.
This is not a endorsement of the pitch which resulted in a victory and the another sub-three-day finish of the Ashes battle.
Having 10mm of grass on the wicket, resulting in a cascade of wickets tumbling in less than two days, is not an even battle between bat and ball.
A Rich Tapestry: The Core of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be marked with an asterisk as not a proper Test, is wide of the mark.
The long game is a rich tapestry, 2,615 parts and ongoing. At times, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball behaves unpredictably for the fast men. In contrast, it grips and turns on a dust bowl. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it explodes.
The close matches are even more exciting because of the patience made elsewhere.
Problem Solving: The True Test
Some factors are tolerated more easily than others.
The debate in during the match was that the equilibrium was tipped too far towards the bowlers. That the skilled individuals were unable from showcasing their talents.
The format is about finding solutions – assessing the situation and adjusting appropriately. The top two individual innings were made by world-class players. One side made more mistakes than the other, and thus were defeated.
Sheer Celebration: The Supporters' View
Try telling the supporters who have suffered 18 winless matches that this was not entertaining.
In one section of the MCG, a sea of people made noise and chanted, producing a carnival vibe in a bastion of Australian cricket.
There was optimism as the fielding side surged, momentum when players fought back, and rapturous celebration when the win was secured.
Contrasting Examples: The Range of Test Matches
The MCG has form with difficult wickets. Eight years ago, a match there featured a pitch with the excitement of a a non-event.
That fixture was a marathon, with few wickets and slow play. The latest encounter and that drawn affair are extreme ends of the range – both are not perfect, yet value can be ascribed to them.
Four Tests into the ongoing battle, it is the two-day matches that will be most remembered in the collective consciousness.
"This isn't the death of Test cricket at all," commented a veteran. "Fans who have been fortunate to see these short time have been experienced some fantastic sport. A unique show."
Signs of Progress: Looking Ahead
In the lead-in to this Test, the skipper talked like a man carrying the weight of the world on his back.
The players delivered for him, restoring the joy to his persona.
Different players delivered with key contributions. These are incremental gains, hardly enough to guarantee long-term futures, but a foundation to develop from.
In the end, this MCG win is added to other memorable performances in similar circumstances.
As the fans departed into a glorious Melbourne evening, the players congregated on the field to begin their own enjoyment.
Enjoy the drink, boys. It's well deserved.
