Within a glass case on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium rests a vibrant pink outfit donned by the pop star. The concert in front of a massive crowd of fans was hailed as a major hit.
It's possible you appreciate his music. You might think he is the greatest gift to music the world has ever seen. You might take a reasonable stance, acknowledging that some hits are belting while others are terrible.
The point being is that enjoyment can take many forms. Tastes vary. There is not a single method to craft literature or even five-day cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of The Test Format
The five-day game boasts peerless complexity. It is hard to think of another sport where the playing is so reliant upon external factors.
The weather, the hour of play, the red ball – the variables are numerous. Crucially is the wicket.
If the format is an artistic pursuit, the wicket is the blank slate on which the athletes create their art.
A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test
The recent Melbourne match between the two sides was Test cricket cubism, the established format taken to pieces and stuck back together in a bizarre shape.
It must be stated this is not a defence of the pitch which produced a triumph and the another short match of the Ashes battle.
Allowing a thick layer on the surface, leading to a cascade of wickets falling in less than a brief period, is not a balanced duel between batter and bowler.
A Varied History: The Core of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a lesser event, one that should be marked with an asterisk as inauthentic, is mistaken.
The format is a diverse canvas, a long history and still growing. At times, like in Melbourne, the ball behaves unpredictably for the seamers. Other times, it turns square on a dust bowl. At other venues, the pitch is dead, other times it spits like a cobra.
The close matches are particularly captivating because of the time devoted during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The True Test
Specific conditions are tolerated more freely than others.
The contention in during the match was that the equilibrium was weighted unfairly towards the attack. That the top batters were prevented from showcasing their talents.
The format is about finding solutions – assessing the wicket and adapting effectively. The top two individual innings were made by world-class players. One team was less disciplined than the other, and thus lost.
Unbridled Joy: For Those Who Waited
Try telling the fans who have experienced years of defeat that this was not entertaining.
In a corner of the MCG, countless fans celebrated and sang their songs, generating a carnival vibe in a heartland of sport.
There was hope as the fielding side surged, advantage when batters scored quickly, and rapturous celebration when the result was secured.
Extreme Ends: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The MCG has previous experience with difficult wickets. Previously, a game there featured a wicket with the character of a a non-event.
That match was a slog, with few wickets and interminable tedium. This recent match and that slow Test are extreme ends of the scale – one is not more the standard, yet historical weight can be attached to each.
At this stage into the current series, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the collective consciousness.
"It's not the end of Test cricket at all," commented a former player. "The people who have been fortunate to see these 48 hours have been experienced some fantastic sport. An unusual spectacle."
Small Victories: A Glimmer of Hope
In the build-up to this match, the leader talked like a man carrying the weight of the world on his mind.
The team delivered for him, bringing back the smile to his persona.
Emerging talents delivered with vital performances. These are baby steps, not nearly enough to ensure long-term success, but a foundation to build on.
In the end, this Melbourne victory is added to other notable performances in meaningless games.
As the crowd departed into a glorious Melbourne evening, the squad assembled on the turf to begin their own enjoyment.
Savour the moment, men. You've earned this one.
