Displayed inside a showcase on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium is housed a vibrant pink suit donned by the entertainer. The performance in front of 100,024 spectators was seen as a success.
You might not like his music. You might think he is the ultimate present to music in history. Or you could adopt a middle ground, conceding that some tracks are belting while others are poor.
The point being is that enjoyment can manifest in countless ways. Preferences differ. There is no one way to create art or even Test cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of The Test Format
The five-day game boasts peerless complexity. One struggles to think of another sport where the contest is so dictated by conditions.
The climate, the session, the cricket ball – the factors are countless. Crucially is the pitch.
If Test cricket is an artistic pursuit, the pitch is the canvas on which the players paint their masterpiece.
A Test of Cubism: The MCG Match
The recent Melbourne match between the two sides was an abstract version of cricket, the established format broken apart and stuck back together in abstract form.
This is not a defence of the surface which resulted in a triumph and the second two-day Test of the series.
Allowing excessive grass on the pitch, resulting in numerous dismissals being taken in less than six sessions, is not a fair contest between offense and defense.
A Rich Tapestry: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is mistaken.
The long game is a rich tapestry, a long history and counting. At times, as seen at the MCG, the ball moves excessively 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 even more exciting because of the investment committed during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The Real Challenge
Some factors are accepted more easily than others.
The argument in during the match was that the balance was weighted unfairly towards the bowlers. That the best players were prevented from showcasing their talents.
This level of cricket is about finding solutions – reading the conditions and adapting appropriately. The best individual contributions were made by recognized players. One team was less disciplined than the other, and thus were defeated.
Sheer Celebration: For Those Who Waited
Try telling the supporters who have experienced 18 winless matches that this was not entertaining.
In a corner of the ground, a sea of people made noise and chanted, generating a festive mood in a bastion of Australian cricket.
There was optimism as the fielding side excelled, advantage when batters responded, and unconditional love when the result was secured.
Contrasting Examples: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The venue has a history with controversial surfaces. In the past, a match there featured a wicket with the character of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That contest was a slog, with minimal action and slow play. The latest encounter and that slow Test are extreme ends of the spectrum – one is not more ideal, yet historical weight can be attached to each.
At this stage into the ongoing battle, it is the shortest games that will be most remembered in the collective consciousness.
"Far from being the death of Test cricket at all," commented a veteran. "Spectators who have been fortunate to see these 48 hours have been experienced some genuine drama. An unusual spectacle."
Small Victories: Looking Ahead
In the lead-in to this match, the leader talked like a man carrying the heavy burden on his mind.
The squad delivered for him, bringing back the positive demeanor to his countenance.
New faces stepped up with vital performances. These are incremental gains, hardly enough to guarantee long-term stability, but a foundation to build on.
In the end, this MCG win joins other memorable performances in similar circumstances.
As the supporters slipped away into a glorious Melbourne evening, the players gathered on the outfield to start their own enjoyment.
Celebrate the win, lads. It's well deserved.
