Within a display cabinet on the elevated floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium sits a neon pink suit donned by the pop star. His concert in front of 100,024 attendees was seen as a major hit.
You might not like the performer. Perhaps you believe he is the ultimate present to music in history. Alternatively, you may hold a balanced view, acknowledging that some hits are fantastic while others are poor.
The point being is that enjoyment can take many forms. Tastes vary. There is no one way to create art or even five-day 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 conditions.
The elements, the time of day, the red ball – the factors are countless. Most important is the playing surface.
If the format is an artistic pursuit, the pitch is the foundation on which the athletes create their art.
An Abstract Contest: The Fourth Test
The fourth Ashes Test between the old rivals was the game deconstructed, the established format taken to pieces and stuck back together in abstract form.
This is not a endorsement of the pitch which resulted in a victory and the another short match of the contest.
Having excessive grass on the wicket, causing a cascade of wickets being taken in less than six sessions, is not a balanced duel between bat and ball.
A Diverse Legacy: The Core of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a lesser event, one that should be footnoted as illegitimate, is mistaken.
The long game is a diverse canvas, 2,615 parts and ongoing. On occasion, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball does all sorts for the seamers. In contrast, it grips and turns on a dust bowl. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.
The exciting finishes are all the more thrilling due to the time made during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The Core Skill
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.
Test cricket is about adapting to challenges – assessing the situation and adjusting accordingly. The best individual contributions were made by recognized batters. One team made more mistakes than the other, and thus lost.
Pure Elation: The Supporters' View
Try telling the devotees who have suffered years of defeat that this was not entertaining.
In one section of the ground, thousands waved their flags and created an atmosphere, producing a party atmosphere in a bastion of national pride.
There was hope as the fielding side excelled, advantage when players scored quickly, and unconditional love when the win was confirmed.
Polar Opposites: The Variety of Test Matches
The Melbourne has previous experience with difficult wickets. In the past, a game there featured a wicket with the character of a a damp squib.
That fixture was a slog, with minimal action and slow play. The latest encounter and that previous match are polar opposites of the spectrum – both are not perfect, yet significance can be attached to each.
Four Tests into the Ashes contest, it is the shortest games that will remain iconic in the collective consciousness.
"This isn't the end of Test cricket at all," commented a former player. "Fans who have been privileged to see these 48 hours have been experienced some genuine drama. A unique show."
Small Victories: Building for the Future
In the lead-in to this Test, the captain addressed the media like a man carrying the heavy burden on his shoulders.
The team protected him, bringing back the smile to his persona.
New faces stepped up with key contributions. These are baby steps, hardly enough to ensure long-term stability, but a foundation to develop from.
Ultimately, this MCG win joins other notable performances in meaningless games.
As the fans left into a stunning sunset, the team congregated on the turf to start their own festivities.
Celebrate the win, boys. This victory was hard-fought.
