Displayed inside a display cabinet on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium sits a vibrant pink ensemble donned by the entertainer. The show in front of a hundred thousand fans was seen as a success.
It's possible you like his music. You might think he is the ultimate present to music known to man. Or you could adopt a middle ground, admitting that some songs are fantastic while others are awful.
The central idea is that amusement can be delivered diversely. Tastes vary. There is no universal formula to produce art or even five-day cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Test Format
Test cricket boasts incomparable variety. It's difficult to think of another sport where the contest is so dependent on external factors.
The climate, the time of day, the red ball – the factors are countless. Above all is the playing surface.
If Test cricket is an artistic pursuit, the strip is the foundation on which the athletes paint their masterpiece.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test
The recent Melbourne match between the two sides was an abstract version of cricket, the established format dismantled and reconstructed in a bizarre shape.
Let's be clear, this isn't a justification of the wicket which resulted in a victory and the second two-day Test of the Ashes battle.
Having excessive grass on the surface, resulting in numerous dismissals being taken in less than a brief period, is not a balanced duel between batter and bowler.
A Rich Tapestry: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be marked with an asterisk as illegitimate, is wide of the mark.
Test cricket is a rich tapestry, over two thousand matches and still growing. At times, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball moves excessively for the seamers. Other times, it grips and turns on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.
The thrillers are even more exciting due to the patience devoted during quieter periods.
Adaptation: The Real Challenge
Some factors are accepted more readily than others.
The debate in during the match was that the contest was weighted unfairly towards the attack. That the best players were unable from playing their natural game.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – reading the wicket and adapting accordingly. The best individual contributions were made by recognized stars. One side made more mistakes than the other, and thus lost.
Unbridled Joy: The Supporters' View
Attempt to convince the fans who have experienced a long drought that this wasn't compelling.
In one section of the stadium, countless fans made noise and sang their songs, fostering a party atmosphere in a stronghold of sport.
There was hope as the fielding side excelled, impetus when batters fought back, and pure joy when the result was confirmed.
Contrasting Examples: The Range of Test Matches
The Melbourne has a history with difficult wickets. In the past, a game there featured a strip with the excitement of a a damp squib.
That contest was a grind, with limited drama and endless boredom. The two-day game and that previous match are diametrically opposed points of the scale – one is not more ideal, yet value can be attached to both.
At this stage into the current series, it is the shortest games that will live longest in the memory.
"It's not the death of Test cricket at all," observed a past champion. "Fans who have been fortunate to see these short time have been given some real entertainment. A unique show."
Signs of Progress: Looking Ahead
In the build-up to this match, the leader spoke like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his mind.
The team protected him, bringing back the joy to his countenance.
Emerging talents stepped up with crucial roles. These are small positives, hardly enough to ensure long-term futures, but a starting point to use as a platform.
At the very least, this MCG win is added to other memorable performances in similar circumstances.
As the supporters departed into a glorious Melbourne evening, the players gathered on the field to start their own celebrations.
Savour the moment, boys. This victory was hard-fought.
