Within a showcase on the third floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium sits a neon pink outfit performed in by the pop star. His show in front of a hundred thousand fans was hailed as a triumph.
Perhaps you don't enjoy his music. Perhaps you believe he is the greatest gift to music the world has ever seen. Or you could adopt a middle ground, conceding that some songs are fantastic while others are poor.
The central idea is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. Preferences differ. There is no one way to craft music or even the longest format.
The Peerless Spectrum of The Long Game
The five-day game boasts peerless complexity. It's difficult to think of another sport where the playing is so dependent on the environment.
The elements, the session, the cricket ball – the factors are countless. Above all is the wicket.
If Test cricket is art, the pitch is the foundation on which the athletes create their art.
An Abstract Contest: The Fourth Test
The Boxing Day fixture between the old rivals was an abstract version of cricket, the great game dismantled and stuck back together in abstract form.
It must be stated this is not a justification of the surface which resulted in a triumph and the another short match of the contest.
Leaving excessive grass on the wicket, causing a cascade of wickets falling in less than a brief period, is not a fair contest between bat and ball.
A Diverse Legacy: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is incorrect.
The long game is a diverse canvas, a long history and ongoing. On occasion, as seen at the MCG, the ball moves excessively for the seamers. In contrast, it spins sharply on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is dead, other times it explodes.
The thrillers are even more exciting because of the time committed in other matches.
Adjustment: The Core Skill
Certain variables are accepted more readily than others.
The debate in during the match was that the contest was tipped too far towards the attack. That the skilled individuals were prevented from demonstrating their skill.
The format is about finding solutions – interpreting the conditions and adjusting accordingly. The top two individual innings were made by recognized players. One side made more mistakes than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Sheer Celebration: The Fan Perspective
Try telling the supporters who have experienced a long drought that this was not entertaining.
In one section of the stadium, a sea of people waved their flags and created an atmosphere, fostering a party atmosphere in a bastion of sport.
There was hope as the attack surged, impetus when players fought back, and rapturous celebration when the result was confirmed.
Extreme Ends: The Variety of Test Matches
The MCG has a history with pitch problems. Eight years ago, a game there featured a wicket with the excitement of a a non-event.
That fixture was a grind, with minimal action and endless boredom. This recent match and that slow Test are extreme ends of the range – both are not perfect, yet value can be found in them.
At this stage into the ongoing battle, it is the shortest games that will be most remembered in the memory.
"It's not the death of the format at all," commented a former player. "Spectators who have been privileged to see these short time have been treated to some genuine drama. An unusual spectacle."
Baby Steps: A Glimmer of Hope
In the lead-in to this Test, the captain talked like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his back.
The players delivered for him, restoring the positive demeanor to his countenance.
Emerging talents stepped up with vital performances. These are small positives, certainly not enough to ensure long-term stability, but a foundation to develop from.
At the very least, this MCG win joins other historic performances in similar circumstances.
As the crowd left into a beautiful night, the team assembled on the field to begin their own celebrations.
Celebrate the win, lads. It's well deserved.
