Within a glass case on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium sits a electric pink suit worn by the entertainer. The concert in front of a hundred thousand attendees was considered a success.
You might not like the performer. You might think he is the finest offering to music the world has ever seen. Or you could adopt a middle ground, conceding that some songs are fantastic while others are awful.
The key argument is that entertainment can be delivered diversely. Tastes vary. There is not a single method to craft art or even five-day cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Long Game
The five-day game boasts incomparable variety. It is hard to think of another sport where the playing is so dependent on the environment.
The elements, the session, the red ball – the factors are countless. Crucially is the pitch.
If the long game is art, the strip is the foundation on which the players create their art.
A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test
The Boxing Day fixture between the two sides was an abstract version of cricket, the established format taken to pieces and stuck back together in an unusual manner.
Let's be clear, this isn't a endorsement of the wicket which resulted in a win and the second two-day Test of the contest.
Having 10mm of grass on the wicket, leading to numerous dismissals tumbling 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 notion this was a lesser event, one that should be footnoted as illegitimate, is wide of the mark.
The format is a rich tapestry, 2,615 parts and counting. Sometimes, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball moves excessively for the pace bowlers. Other times, it spins sharply on a dust bowl. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it explodes.
The close matches are even more exciting because of the investment committed during quieter periods.
Adaptation: The Real Challenge
Some factors are tolerated more freely than others.
The contention in Melbourne was that the equilibrium was weighted unfairly towards the fielding side. That the best players were prevented from playing their natural game.
The format is about problem solving – assessing the wicket and responding effectively. The two highest individual innings were made by acknowledged players. One side made more mistakes than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Sheer Celebration: For Those Who Waited
Try telling the fans who have suffered years of defeat that this lacked spectacle.
Among the crowd of the MCG, thousands waved their flags and sang their songs, producing a party atmosphere in a stronghold of Australian cricket.
There was optimism as the fielding side surged, momentum when the top order scored quickly, and pure joy when the victory was achieved.
Polar Opposites: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The MCG has form with controversial surfaces. Previously, a game there featured a pitch with the character of a a damp squib.
That match was a marathon, with limited drama and interminable tedium. The latest encounter and that slow Test are extreme ends of the range – neither ideal, yet value can be found in each.
Deep into the series into the current series, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the collective consciousness.
"This isn't the death of Test cricket at all," said a former player. "The people who have been lucky enough to see these short time have been given some genuine drama. Different entertainment."
Baby Steps: A Glimmer of Hope
In the build-up to this match, the captain talked like a man carrying the heavy burden on his back.
The squad responded for him, restoring the positive demeanor to his countenance.
Emerging talents performed with key contributions. These are small positives, not nearly enough to secure long-term stability, but a foundation to build on.
At the very least, this MCG win takes its place among other notable performances in meaningless games.
As the fans departed into a stunning sunset, the team congregated on the turf to begin their own celebrations.
Savour the moment, boys. It's well deserved.
