In a glass case on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium sits a electric pink ensemble worn by the pop star. His show in front of 100,024 spectators was considered a success.
You might not appreciate his music. Perhaps you believe he is the finest offering to music the world has ever seen. Alternatively, you may hold a middle ground, acknowledging that some tracks are fantastic while others are terrible.
The point being is that enjoyment can take many forms. Tastes vary. There is no one way to create art or even Test cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Test Format
The five-day game boasts unrivalled depth. It's difficult to think of another sport where the contest is so dictated by conditions.
The elements, the hour of play, the ball – the variables are numerous. Above all is the wicket.
If the format is a form of art, the wicket is the blank slate on which the cricketers create their art.
A Broken-Down Battle: The MCG Match
The Boxing Day fixture between the two sides was the game deconstructed, the established format dismantled and reconstructed in a bizarre shape.
This is not a justification of the wicket which yielded a win and the second two-day Test of the contest.
Having 10mm of grass on the wicket, causing a cascade of wickets falling in less than two days, is not an even battle between offense and defense.
A Varied History: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be marked with an asterisk as not a proper Test, is incorrect.
The format is a rich tapestry, a long history and counting. On occasion, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball moves excessively for the seamers. In contrast, it grips and turns on a dust bowl. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it spits like a cobra.
The thrillers are particularly captivating due to the time devoted elsewhere.
Adaptation: The Core Skill
Certain variables are tolerated more readily than others.
The contention in Melbourne was that the contest was weighted unfairly towards the fielding side. That the best players were prevented from showcasing their talents.
The format is about adapting to challenges – interpreting the wicket and adjusting effectively. The two highest individual scores were made by recognized stars. One side was less disciplined than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Pure Elation: The Supporters' View
Go and inform the supporters who have suffered 18 winless matches that this lacked spectacle.
In a corner of the ground, countless fans celebrated and chanted, generating a party atmosphere in a heartland of Australian cricket.
There was hope as the attack dominated, momentum when players scored quickly, and rapturous celebration when the result was achieved.
Contrasting Examples: The Variety of Test Matches
The venue has a history with difficult wickets. Previously, a match there featured a wicket with the excitement of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That fixture was a grind, with limited drama and interminable tedium. The latest encounter and that slow Test are diametrically opposed points of the range – neither perfect, yet value can be found in them.
Deep into the series into the ongoing battle, it is the shortest games that will live longest in the memory.
"This isn't the end of the long game at all," said a veteran. "Fans who have been privileged to see these short time have been treated to some genuine drama. Different entertainment."
Signs of Progress: A Glimmer of Hope
In the lead-in to this Test, the captain talked like a man carrying the heavy burden on his shoulders.
The players delivered for him, reinstating the positive demeanor to his persona.
New faces delivered with vital performances. These are incremental gains, hardly enough to guarantee long-term futures, but something to build on.
Ultimately, this Melbourne victory joins other notable performances in meaningless games.
As the fans slipped away into a stunning sunset, the squad gathered on the field to commence their own enjoyment.
Celebrate the win, men. It's well deserved.
