Displayed inside a glass case on the third floor of the MCG rests a neon pink ensemble donned by the entertainer. His show in front of a hundred thousand spectators was seen as a major hit.
You might not appreciate the performer. Maybe you feel he is the ultimate present to music the world has ever seen. Or you could adopt a middle ground, acknowledging that some tracks are belting while others are awful.
The point being is that enjoyment can take many forms. Tastes vary. There is no universal formula to create art or even Test cricket.
The Peerless Spectrum of The Test Format
The traditional format boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the outcome is so dictated by the environment.
The weather, the time of day, the red ball – the variables are numerous. Most important is the wicket.
If Test cricket is art, the pitch is the canvas on which the players paint their masterpiece.
An Abstract Contest: The Melbourne Spectacle
The Boxing Day fixture between the two sides was Test cricket cubism, the established format taken to pieces and reconstructed in a bizarre shape.
Let's be clear, this isn't a defence of the surface which yielded a victory and the another short match of the Ashes battle.
Allowing a thick layer on the wicket, leading to 36 wickets being taken in less than six sessions, is not a balanced duel between batter and bowler.
A Rich Tapestry: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be footnoted as illegitimate, is incorrect.
The format is a varied portfolio, over two thousand matches and ongoing. Sometimes, as seen at the MCG, the ball does all sorts for the pace bowlers. Sometimes, it spins sharply on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it spits like a cobra.
The close matches are even more exciting due to the patience devoted in other matches.
Adaptation: The Core Skill
Some factors are accepted more freely than others.
The argument in at the MCG was that the equilibrium was skewed excessively towards the bowlers. That the skilled individuals were hindered from demonstrating their skill.
Test cricket is about problem solving – interpreting the situation and responding effectively. The top two individual scores were made by recognized players. One team made more mistakes than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Pure Elation: The Fan Perspective
Attempt to convince the devotees who have suffered 18 winless matches that this wasn't compelling.
In a corner of the stadium, a sea of people waved their flags and sang their songs, producing a festive mood in a heartland of sport.
There was optimism as the attack dominated, impetus when batters fought back, and rapturous celebration when the win was secured.
Extreme Ends: The Variety of Test Matches
The venue has previous experience with pitch problems. In the past, a match there featured a wicket with the excitement of a a non-event.
That fixture was a grind, with few wickets and interminable tedium. The two-day game and that slow Test are diametrically opposed points of the range – neither perfect, yet value can be found in each.
Deep into the series into the Ashes contest, it is the quick finishes that will remain iconic in the collective consciousness.
"Far from being the demise of Test cricket at all," commented a past champion. "Fans who have been fortunate to see these 48 hours have been given some fantastic sport. A unique show."
Signs of Progress: Looking Ahead
In the lead-in to this Test, the captain talked like a man carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
The squad delivered for him, bringing back the smile to his countenance.
Different players performed with crucial roles. These are small positives, hardly enough to ensure long-term stability, but a starting point to build on.
In the end, this Melbourne victory is added to other notable performances in meaningless games.
As the fans departed into a stunning sunset, the players assembled on the outfield to begin their own celebrations.
Celebrate the win, men. It's well deserved.
