Displayed inside a display cabinet on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium sits a vibrant pink outfit worn by the entertainer. The performance in front of a hundred thousand attendees was considered a success.
Perhaps you don't enjoy his music. Maybe you feel he is the greatest gift to music known to man. You might take a middle ground, admitting that some tracks are belting while others are awful.
The point being is that entertainment can take many forms. Preferences differ. There is not a single method to create literature or even Test cricket.
The Peerless Spectrum of Test Cricket
The traditional format boasts incomparable variety. It is hard to think of another sport where the playing is so reliant upon conditions.
The weather, the session, the red ball – the list is endless. Most important is the wicket.
If Test cricket is a form of art, the pitch is the blank slate on which the cricketers paint their masterpiece.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test
The recent Melbourne match between Australia and England was the game deconstructed, the established format dismantled and reconstructed in a bizarre shape.
This is not a defence of the pitch which produced a triumph and the another short match of the series.
Leaving a thick layer on the surface, leading to a cascade of wickets falling in less than a brief period, is not an even battle between bat and ball.
A Varied History: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be marked with an asterisk as not a proper Test, is wide of the mark.
Test cricket is a rich tapestry, 2,615 parts and still growing. Sometimes, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball does all sorts for the fast men. Sometimes, it turns square on a spinning track. At other venues, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it bounces unevenly.
The exciting finishes are all the more thrilling due to the investment committed elsewhere.
Adjustment: The Core Skill
Specific conditions are accepted more readily than others.
The contention in Melbourne was that the balance was skewed excessively towards the fielding side. That the skilled individuals were unable from showcasing their talents.
Test cricket is about finding solutions – interpreting the situation and adapting effectively. The best individual innings were made by recognized stars. One team made more mistakes than the other, and thus lost.
Pure Elation: The Supporters' View
Attempt to convince the fans who have suffered years of defeat that this wasn't compelling.
In one section of the ground, a sea of people made noise and chanted, fostering a party atmosphere in a bastion of Australian cricket.
There was optimism as the fielding side surged, impetus when batters fought back, and unconditional love when the win was confirmed.
Contrasting Examples: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The MCG has a history with controversial surfaces. Eight years ago, a Test there featured a wicket with the character of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That fixture was a grind, with minimal action and interminable tedium. The two-day game and that previous match are polar opposites of the range – one is not more ideal, yet historical weight can be found in them.
At this stage into the ongoing battle, it is the shortest games that will remain iconic in the memory.
"This isn't the end of Test cricket at all," said a veteran. "The people who have been privileged to see these two days have been treated to some real entertainment. Different entertainment."
Baby Steps: A Glimmer of Hope
In the build-up to this match, the skipper addressed the media like a man carrying the heavy burden on his mind.
The team responded for him, reinstating the positive demeanor to his countenance.
Emerging talents stepped up with key contributions. These are small positives, not nearly enough to secure long-term success, but a starting point to use as a platform.
Ultimately, this MCG win joins other memorable performances in similar circumstances.
As the crowd slipped away into a beautiful night, the players congregated on the turf to commence their own celebrations.
Savour the moment, lads. You've earned this one.
