In a glass case on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium rests a electric pink ensemble worn by the pop star. His concert in front of a hundred thousand spectators was seen as a success.
You might not appreciate his music. You might think he is the ultimate present to music in history. Alternatively, you may hold a balanced view, conceding that some songs are belting while others are awful.
The point being is that entertainment can be delivered diversely. You like what you like. There is no one way to produce art or even the longest format.
The Incomparable Variety of Test Cricket
Test cricket boasts incomparable variety. It is hard to think of another sport where the outcome is so dictated by the environment.
The elements, the hour of play, the ball – the variables are numerous. Most important is the wicket.
If Test cricket is art, the strip is the canvas on which the cricketers paint their masterpiece.
A Broken-Down Battle: The MCG Match
The recent Melbourne match between the two sides was Test cricket cubism, the traditional sport broken apart and reassembled in a bizarre shape.
It must be stated this is not a defence of the surface which produced a triumph and the another short match of the series.
Having 10mm of grass on the pitch, resulting in numerous dismissals falling in less than a brief period, is not an even battle between bat and ball.
A Rich Tapestry: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any notion 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, a long history and still growing. On occasion, as witnessed recently, the ball moves excessively for the pace bowlers. Sometimes, it turns square on a spinning track. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it bounces unevenly.
The thrillers are particularly captivating owing to the time devoted elsewhere.
Adjustment: The Core Skill
Certain variables are embraced more freely than others.
The contention in at the MCG was that the equilibrium was tipped too far towards the bowlers. That the top batters were prevented from showcasing their talents.
Test cricket is about problem solving – reading the situation and adjusting appropriately. The best individual innings were made by world-class stars. One team committed more errors than the other, and thus were defeated.
Pure Elation: The Fan Perspective
Go and inform the supporters who have suffered a long drought that this was not entertaining.
In a corner of the MCG, thousands celebrated and chanted, producing a carnival vibe in a bastion of national pride.
There was optimism as the fielding side excelled, momentum when players scored quickly, and pure joy when the result was secured.
Polar Opposites: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The MCG has previous experience with pitch problems. Previously, a Test there featured a pitch with all the life of a a damp squib.
That match was a marathon, with few wickets and interminable tedium. The two-day game and that previous match are polar opposites of the scale – one is not more the standard, yet value can be attached to each.
Four Tests into the ongoing battle, it is the shortest games that will remain iconic in the history books.
"Far from being the death of the format at all," commented a former player. "Spectators who have been fortunate to see these two days have been given some real entertainment. Different entertainment."
Small Victories: Looking Ahead
In the build-up to this Test, the leader talked like a man carrying the heavy burden on his shoulders.
The squad delivered for him, reinstating the joy to his face.
New faces delivered with crucial roles. These are small positives, not nearly enough to guarantee long-term success, but a foundation to build on.
At the very least, this triumph is added to other notable performances in meaningless games.
As the fans slipped away into a beautiful night, the team congregated on the turf to start their own festivities.
Savour the moment, boys. You've earned this one.
