Displayed inside a glass case on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium sits a vibrant pink suit worn by the entertainer. His concert in front of a massive crowd of attendees was hailed as a success.
It's possible you appreciate his music. Perhaps you believe he is the greatest gift to music the world has ever seen. Or you could adopt a middle ground, acknowledging that some tracks are belting while others are poor.
The point being is that amusement can take many forms. Preferences differ. There is no one way to produce literature or even the longest format.
The Peerless Spectrum of The Test Format
The traditional format boasts incomparable variety. It's difficult to think of another sport where the outcome is so dependent on conditions.
The weather, the time of day, the cricket ball – the variables are numerous. Most important is the playing surface.
If Test cricket is an artistic pursuit, the pitch is the blank slate on which the athletes paint their masterpiece.
An Abstract Contest: The Melbourne Spectacle
The recent Melbourne match between the two sides was the game deconstructed, the traditional sport dismantled and stuck back together in abstract form.
It must be stated this is not a endorsement of the surface which resulted in a triumph and the another short match of the series.
Allowing 10mm of grass on the wicket, leading to a cascade of wickets being taken in less than six sessions, is not an even battle between bat and ball.
A Rich Tapestry: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a inferior show, one that should be marked with an asterisk as not a proper Test, is mistaken.
The long game is a rich tapestry, 2,615 parts and ongoing. Sometimes, like in Melbourne, the ball behaves unpredictably for the fast men. Sometimes, it turns square on a spinning track. At other venues, the pitch is dead, other times it bounces unevenly.
The exciting finishes are even more exciting due to the investment devoted elsewhere.
Problem Solving: The True Test
Specific conditions are accepted more easily than others.
The debate in at the MCG was that the equilibrium was skewed excessively towards the fielding side. That the skilled individuals were unable from showcasing their talents.
Test cricket is about adapting to challenges – interpreting the situation and adapting appropriately. The two highest individual scores were made by recognized batters. One line-up was less disciplined than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Pure Elation: For Those Who Waited
Try telling the devotees who have endured 18 winless matches that this wasn't compelling.
In a corner of the ground, countless fans made noise and sang their songs, fostering a carnival vibe in a bastion of national pride.
There was optimism as the bowlers dominated, advantage when the top order responded, and unconditional love when the win was achieved.
Contrasting Examples: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The Melbourne has form with pitch problems. Eight years ago, a match there featured a wicket with the character of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That contest was a marathon, with minimal action and interminable tedium. The latest encounter and that slow Test are diametrically opposed points of the scale – neither ideal, yet significance can be found in them.
Deep into the series into the current series, it is the shortest games that will be most remembered in the history books.
"This isn't the end of the format at all," observed a former player. "Fans who have been privileged to see these two days have been given some real entertainment. Different entertainment."
Baby Steps: Looking Ahead
In the lead-in to this Test, the skipper spoke like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his back.
The players responded for him, restoring the joy to his countenance.
Different players performed with vital performances. These are small positives, hardly enough to secure long-term stability, but a foundation to use as a platform.
At the very least, this Melbourne victory takes its place among other memorable performances in similar circumstances.
As the crowd slipped away into a stunning sunset, the players congregated on the turf to begin their own festivities.
Savour the moment, lads. You've earned this one.
