In a display cabinet on the upper level of the MCG sits a vibrant pink outfit worn by the entertainer. His show in front of 100,024 attendees was hailed as a triumph.
You might not like his music. You might think he is the greatest gift to music known to man. Or you could adopt a balanced view, acknowledging that some hits are fantastic while others are poor.
The key argument is that amusement can take many forms. Tastes vary. There is no universal formula to craft literature or even five-day cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of Test Cricket
The traditional format boasts incomparable variety. One struggles to think of another sport where the outcome is so dependent on external factors.
The climate, the hour of play, the red ball – the factors are countless. Above all is the pitch.
If the format is a form of art, the wicket is the canvas on which the athletes paint their masterpiece.
A Test of Cubism: The Melbourne Spectacle
The Boxing Day fixture between the old rivals was the game deconstructed, the great game dismantled and reassembled in an unusual manner.
Let's be clear, this isn't a justification of the surface which yielded a win and the another short match of the Ashes battle.
Allowing 10mm of grass on the pitch, leading to a cascade of wickets falling in less than a brief period, is not an even battle between offense and defense.
A Varied History: The Core of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is wide of the mark.
The format is a diverse canvas, a long history and counting. Sometimes, like in Melbourne, the ball moves excessively for the pace bowlers. Other times, it grips and turns on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it spits like a cobra.
The thrillers are all the more thrilling due to the investment made during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The Real Challenge
Certain variables are accepted more easily than others.
The debate in during the match was that the balance was weighted unfairly towards the bowlers. That the skilled individuals were unable from demonstrating their skill.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – interpreting the wicket and responding effectively. The top two individual scores were made by recognized stars. One side made more mistakes than the other, and thus were defeated.
Sheer Celebration: The Fan Perspective
Try telling the devotees who have experienced a long drought that this wasn't compelling.
In a corner of the MCG, thousands waved their flags and chanted, producing a carnival vibe in a heartland of sport.
There was hope as the attack surged, impetus when the top order fought back, and unconditional love when the result was secured.
Contrasting Examples: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The MCG has a history with difficult wickets. In the past, a game there featured a strip with all the life of a a non-event.
That match was a marathon, with limited drama and slow play. The two-day game and that slow Test are diametrically opposed points of the scale – both are not ideal, yet significance can be ascribed to both.
Deep into the series into the Ashes contest, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the memory.
"It's not the end of Test cricket at all," said a former player. "Fans who have been lucky enough to see these two days have been experienced some real entertainment. Different entertainment."
Signs of Progress: Looking Ahead
In the lead-in to this match, the captain spoke like a man carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
The players responded for him, bringing back the positive demeanor to his countenance.
Different players performed with key contributions. These are baby steps, certainly not enough to ensure long-term futures, but a foundation to build on.
In the end, this triumph joins other memorable performances in meaningless games.
As the crowd departed into a stunning sunset, the team congregated on the outfield to begin their own enjoyment.
Enjoy the drink, boys. It's well deserved.
