In a glass case on the upper level of the MCG is housed a neon pink ensemble worn by the entertainer. His show in front of a hundred thousand spectators was seen as a triumph.
Perhaps you don't enjoy the performer. Perhaps you believe he is the finest offering to music known to man. You might take a reasonable stance, conceding that some songs are belting while others are poor.
The central idea is that entertainment can take many forms. You like what you like. There is no universal formula to craft art or even the longest format.
The Peerless Spectrum of Test Cricket
Test cricket boasts incomparable variety. It's difficult to think of another sport where the contest is so reliant upon external factors.
The climate, the hour of play, the cricket ball – the list is endless. Above all is the pitch.
If Test cricket is art, the wicket is the canvas on which the cricketers paint their masterpiece.
An Abstract Contest: The Fourth Test
The fourth Ashes Test between the old rivals was Test cricket cubism, the established format broken apart and reconstructed in a bizarre shape.
This is not a defence of the pitch which yielded a triumph and the another short match of the series.
Having 10mm of grass on the pitch, causing numerous dismissals falling in less than a brief period, is not a balanced duel between bat and ball.
A Varied History: The Core of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be qualified as inauthentic, is wide of the mark.
The format is a rich tapestry, 2,615 parts and still growing. On occasion, like in Melbourne, the ball does all sorts for the pace bowlers. Sometimes, it grips and turns on a spinning track. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it bounces unevenly.
The thrillers are all the more thrilling because of the time devoted in other matches.
Adaptation: The Real Challenge
Specific conditions are tolerated more readily than others.
The argument in Melbourne was that the balance was skewed excessively towards the bowlers. That the top batters were unable from demonstrating their skill.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – interpreting the situation and adjusting effectively. The two highest individual innings were made by acknowledged stars. One team committed more errors than the other, and thus were defeated.
Unbridled Joy: The Supporters' View
Try telling the fans who have endured 18 winless matches that this lacked spectacle.
Among the crowd of the stadium, thousands waved their flags and created an atmosphere, fostering a party atmosphere in a heartland of national pride.
There was optimism as the fielding side excelled, advantage when the top order scored quickly, and unconditional love when the victory was secured.
Extreme Ends: The Range of Test Matches
The Melbourne has a history with difficult wickets. Eight years ago, a match there featured a wicket with the excitement of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That contest was a grind, with limited drama and interminable tedium. This recent match and that previous match are diametrically opposed points of the range – both are not the standard, yet historical weight can be found in both.
Four Tests into the current series, it is the two-day matches that will remain iconic in the history books.
"This isn't the end of the long game at all," said a veteran. "Fans who have been fortunate to see these short time have been experienced some real entertainment. A unique show."
Baby Steps: A Glimmer of Hope
In the preparation to this Test, the captain talked like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his mind.
The squad delivered for him, restoring the smile to his face.
Different players delivered with crucial roles. These are incremental gains, not nearly enough to ensure long-term stability, but a foundation to develop from.
At the very least, this Melbourne victory joins other historic performances in meaningless games.
As the supporters slipped away into a stunning sunset, the squad assembled on the outfield to commence their own celebrations.
Enjoy the drink, lads. You've earned this one.
