Displayed inside a glass case on the third floor of the MCG sits a neon pink ensemble donned by the pop star. The performance in front of a hundred thousand attendees was considered a triumph.
Perhaps you don't enjoy his music. Maybe you feel he is the greatest gift to music in history. Alternatively, you may hold a balanced view, conceding that some hits are excellent while others are terrible.
The point being is that amusement can take many forms. Tastes vary. There is no one way to create music or even five-day cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of The Long Game
The five-day game boasts unrivalled depth. One struggles to think of another sport where the contest is so reliant upon the environment.
The elements, the hour of play, the ball – the factors are countless. Above all is the wicket.
If the long game is an artistic pursuit, the wicket is the blank slate on which the cricketers create their art.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Melbourne Spectacle
The recent Melbourne match between Australia and England was an abstract version of cricket, the great game broken apart and reconstructed in a bizarre shape.
It must be stated this is not a justification of the surface which yielded a win and the another short match of the series.
Leaving excessive grass on the pitch, resulting in numerous dismissals tumbling in less than a brief period, is not a balanced duel between bat and ball.
A Rich Tapestry: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a lesser event, one that should be marked with an asterisk as not a proper Test, is incorrect.
Test cricket is a rich tapestry, 2,615 parts and counting. On occasion, as witnessed recently, the ball does all sorts for the seamers. In contrast, it grips and turns on a dust bowl. At other venues, the pitch is dead, other times it explodes.
The thrillers are even more exciting owing to the patience devoted elsewhere.
Problem Solving: The Core Skill
Some factors are accepted more freely than others.
The contention in at the MCG was that the balance was skewed excessively towards the attack. That the best players were prevented from showcasing their talents.
The format is about problem solving – interpreting the wicket and adapting effectively. The top two individual scores were made by recognized players. One line-up made more mistakes than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Sheer Celebration: For Those Who Waited
Attempt to convince the devotees who have suffered a long drought that this was not entertaining.
In a corner of the ground, a sea of people celebrated and chanted, producing a carnival vibe in a bastion of Australian cricket.
There was hope as the fielding side surged, impetus when players scored quickly, and unconditional love when the win was confirmed.
Extreme Ends: The Range of Test Matches
The MCG has a history with difficult wickets. Eight years ago, a match there featured a strip with the character of a a damp squib.
That match was a marathon, with minimal action and slow play. This recent match and that previous match are diametrically opposed points of the range – one is not more ideal, yet historical weight can be ascribed to both.
Deep into the series into the Ashes contest, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the memory.
"This isn't the end of the long game at all," commented a past champion. "The people who have been privileged to see these two days have been given some fantastic sport. Different entertainment."
Signs of Progress: Looking Ahead
In the preparation to this match, the captain spoke like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his mind.
The team responded for him, restoring the joy to his persona.
Emerging talents performed with vital performances. These are small positives, not nearly enough to ensure long-term stability, but a starting point to develop from.
At the very least, this MCG win is added to other historic performances in dead rubbers.
As the fans left into a glorious Melbourne evening, the squad assembled on the outfield to start their own celebrations.
Celebrate the win, boys. It's well deserved.
