In a display cabinet on the elevated floor of the MCG sits a neon pink suit worn by the pop star. The performance in front of a massive crowd of attendees was considered a triumph.
You might not like his music. Perhaps you believe he is the greatest gift to music in history. Or you could adopt a middle ground, conceding that some tracks are fantastic while others are terrible.
The central idea is that entertainment can take many forms. You like what you like. There is no universal formula to craft music or even Test cricket.
The Peerless Spectrum of The Test Format
Test cricket boasts incomparable variety. It is hard to think of another sport where the outcome is so dictated by conditions.
The elements, the hour of play, the cricket ball – the variables are numerous. Above all is the pitch.
If Test cricket is an artistic pursuit, the pitch is the canvas on which the athletes craft their legacy.
An Abstract Contest: The Melbourne Spectacle
The recent Melbourne match between the old rivals was the game deconstructed, the established format broken apart and reconstructed in an unusual manner.
It must be stated this is not a defence of the wicket which yielded a win and the second two-day Test of the series.
Having 10mm of grass on the wicket, causing numerous dismissals falling in less than six sessions, is not a fair contest between offense and defense.
A Diverse Legacy: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a inferior show, one that should be qualified as illegitimate, is wide of the mark.
The format is a diverse canvas, a long history and ongoing. On occasion, like in Melbourne, the ball behaves unpredictably for the seamers. Sometimes, it spins sharply on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.
The close matches are even more exciting due to the patience made during quieter periods.
Adaptation: The True Test
Some factors are tolerated more freely than others.
The contention in during the match was that the balance was weighted unfairly towards the attack. That the top batters were prevented from showcasing their talents.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – reading the conditions and adjusting accordingly. The top two individual contributions were made by recognized stars. One line-up was less disciplined than the other, and thus were defeated.
Sheer Celebration: The Fan Perspective
Attempt to convince the fans who have experienced years of defeat that this wasn't compelling.
In one section of the stadium, countless fans waved their flags and created an atmosphere, fostering a carnival vibe in a heartland of Australian cricket.
There was hope as the bowlers dominated, momentum when players scored quickly, and unconditional love when the result was achieved.
Polar Opposites: The Variety of Test Matches
The venue has form with difficult wickets. Previously, a match there featured a wicket with all the life of a a damp squib.
That match was a grind, with limited drama and endless boredom. This recent match and that previous match are extreme ends of the spectrum – one is not more perfect, yet value can be found in each.
Four Tests into the current series, it is the quick finishes that will remain iconic in the history books.
"It's not the death of Test cricket at all," said a past champion. "Spectators who have been privileged to see these short time have been experienced some real entertainment. An unusual spectacle."
Small Victories: Building for the Future
In the lead-in to this Test, the captain spoke like a man carrying the weight of the world on his back.
The squad delivered for him, restoring the positive demeanor to his countenance.
Emerging talents stepped up with key contributions. These are incremental gains, not nearly enough to guarantee long-term success, but a foundation to use as a platform.
In the end, this MCG win joins other historic performances in meaningless games.
As the crowd left into a beautiful night, the squad congregated on the field to begin their own festivities.
Savour the moment, lads. You've earned this one.
