Within a showcase on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium rests a neon pink ensemble donned by the pop star. His performance in front of a hundred thousand attendees was considered a major hit.
Perhaps you don't enjoy the performer. You might think he is the finest offering to music in history. You might take a reasonable stance, conceding that some tracks are fantastic while others are poor.
The key argument is that entertainment can be delivered diversely. Tastes vary. There is no universal formula to create art or even five-day cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of The Long Game
The traditional format boasts incomparable variety. One struggles to think of another sport where the outcome is so dependent on conditions.
The weather, the hour of play, the ball – the variables are numerous. Crucially is the playing surface.
If the long game is an artistic pursuit, the strip is the foundation on which the cricketers craft their legacy.
A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test
The Boxing Day fixture between the old rivals was the game deconstructed, the established format taken to pieces and reassembled in an unusual manner.
It must be stated this is not a justification of the wicket which produced a victory and the another sub-three-day finish of the series.
Having excessive grass on the surface, resulting in numerous dismissals tumbling in less than six sessions, is not a fair contest between offense and defense.
A Rich Tapestry: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a inferior show, one that should be footnoted as inauthentic, is wide of the mark.
The format is a rich tapestry, a long history and counting. On occasion, as witnessed recently, the ball does all sorts for the fast men. Sometimes, it spins sharply on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.
The close matches are particularly captivating owing to the time committed during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The True Test
Certain variables are accepted more easily than others.
The argument in during the match was that the equilibrium was tipped too far towards the attack. That the top batters were hindered from showcasing their talents.
The format is about adapting to challenges – assessing the wicket and adjusting accordingly. The two highest individual contributions were made by recognized batters. One side committed more errors than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Pure Elation: For Those Who Waited
Attempt to convince the supporters who have suffered 18 winless matches that this wasn't compelling.
In one section of the ground, countless fans celebrated and chanted, producing a festive mood in a heartland of sport.
There was optimism as the bowlers dominated, advantage when batters scored quickly, and unconditional love when the win was achieved.
Contrasting Examples: The Range of Test Matches
The MCG has a history with difficult wickets. Previously, a game there featured a pitch with the character of a a damp squib.
That match was a grind, with limited drama and endless boredom. The two-day game and that drawn affair are diametrically opposed points of the spectrum – both are not the standard, yet value can be ascribed to both.
At this stage into the ongoing battle, it is the two-day matches that will be most remembered in the memory.
"Far from being the demise of the format at all," observed a former player. "Spectators who have been lucky enough to see these 48 hours have been treated to some genuine drama. An unusual spectacle."
Signs of Progress: Building for the Future
In the preparation to this match, the skipper addressed the media like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his mind.
The squad delivered for him, bringing back the joy to his countenance.
New faces performed with vital performances. These are small positives, not nearly enough to guarantee long-term stability, but a starting point to build on.
At the very least, this Melbourne victory joins other historic performances in similar circumstances.
As the fans slipped away into a beautiful night, the players gathered on the turf to commence their own enjoyment.
Celebrate the win, men. It's well deserved.
