Within a glass case on the upper level of the MCG rests a electric pink outfit donned by the entertainer. His show in front of a hundred thousand fans was considered a major hit.
It's possible you like the performer. Maybe you feel he is the finest offering to music the world has ever seen. Alternatively, you may hold a middle ground, acknowledging that some songs are belting while others are poor.
The key argument is that enjoyment can take many forms. You like what you like. There is no universal formula to produce art or even the longest format.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Long Game
Test cricket boasts incomparable variety. It's difficult to think of another sport where the contest is so dependent on conditions.
The climate, the session, the ball – the factors are countless. Most important is the playing surface.
If the long game is an artistic pursuit, the wicket is the blank slate on which the athletes paint their masterpiece.
A Test of Cubism: The Melbourne Spectacle
The recent Melbourne match between the two sides was Test cricket cubism, the traditional sport taken to pieces and reconstructed in an unusual manner.
It must be stated this is not a defence of the surface which resulted in a victory and the second two-day Test of the series.
Leaving 10mm of grass on the pitch, resulting in numerous dismissals falling in less than six sessions, is not a fair contest between batter and bowler.
A Varied History: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a inferior show, one that should be marked with an asterisk as illegitimate, is mistaken.
The format is a rich tapestry, a long history and ongoing. Sometimes, as seen at the MCG, the ball moves excessively for the pace bowlers. In contrast, it grips and turns on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it bounces unevenly.
The thrillers are all the more thrilling owing to the patience made during quieter periods.
Problem Solving: The Real Challenge
Certain variables are embraced more freely than others.
The contention in during the match was that the equilibrium was skewed excessively towards the bowlers. That the skilled individuals were unable from showcasing their talents.
The format is about problem solving – assessing the situation and adapting accordingly. The two highest individual contributions were made by acknowledged stars. One team was less disciplined than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Pure Elation: For Those Who Waited
Go and inform the devotees who have suffered years of defeat that this was not entertaining.
Among the crowd of the ground, a sea of people made noise and chanted, producing a carnival vibe in a stronghold of sport.
There was hope as the bowlers surged, impetus when the top order scored quickly, and rapturous celebration when the win was achieved.
Contrasting Examples: The Variety of Test Matches
The MCG has a history with controversial surfaces. In the past, a Test there featured a strip with the excitement of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That fixture was a slog, with minimal action and slow play. The latest encounter and that drawn affair are extreme ends of the spectrum – both are not ideal, yet historical weight can be ascribed to both.
Deep into the series into the Ashes contest, it is the quick finishes that will be most remembered in the history books.
"This isn't the death of Test cricket at all," said a past champion. "The people who have been lucky enough to see these two days have been treated to some genuine drama. An unusual spectacle."
Baby Steps: Building for the Future
In the preparation to this Test, the captain talked like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his back.
The squad responded for him, restoring the positive demeanor to his face.
New faces delivered with key contributions. These are small positives, not nearly enough to secure long-term success, but a starting point to build on.
At the very least, this triumph joins other historic performances in dead rubbers.
As the supporters slipped away into a glorious Melbourne evening, the squad gathered on the turf to commence their own celebrations.
Celebrate the win, lads. It's well deserved.
