In a display cabinet on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium is housed a electric pink suit donned by the entertainer. His performance in front of a massive crowd of attendees was hailed as a triumph.
You might not enjoy his music. Perhaps you believe he is the greatest gift to music the world has ever seen. Or you could adopt a reasonable stance, acknowledging that some tracks are excellent while others are poor.
The point being is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. Preferences differ. There is not a single method to craft literature or even five-day cricket.
The Peerless Spectrum of Test Cricket
Test cricket boasts unrivalled depth. One struggles to think of another sport where the playing is so dependent on conditions.
The elements, the hour of play, the red ball – the factors are countless. Above all is the wicket.
If Test cricket is art, the pitch is the foundation on which the players paint their masterpiece.
A Broken-Down Battle: The MCG Match
The recent Melbourne match between Australia and England was the game deconstructed, the great game broken apart and reassembled in a bizarre shape.
This is not a justification of the surface which resulted in a win and the another short match of the series.
Leaving a thick layer on the surface, leading to 36 wickets falling in less than six sessions, is not a fair contest between offense and defense.
A Rich Tapestry: The Core of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be marked with an asterisk as not a proper Test, is mistaken.
The format is a varied portfolio, 2,615 parts and still growing. On occasion, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball moves excessively for the pace bowlers. Other times, it spins sharply on a dust bowl. Sometimes, the pitch is dead, other times it bounces unevenly.
The exciting finishes are particularly captivating because of the investment devoted elsewhere.
Adaptation: The True Test
Specific conditions are embraced more readily than others.
The contention in during the match was that the contest was tipped too far towards the bowlers. That the top batters were unable from demonstrating their skill.
This level of cricket is about finding solutions – reading the wicket and responding appropriately. The top two individual contributions were made by world-class stars. One side was less disciplined than the other, and thus were defeated.
Pure Elation: For Those Who Waited
Attempt to convince the fans who have suffered years of defeat that this wasn't compelling.
In one section of the stadium, countless fans waved their flags and sang their songs, fostering a party atmosphere in a bastion of Australian cricket.
There was hope as the attack excelled, advantage when batters responded, and pure joy when the result was secured.
Polar Opposites: The Variety of Test Matches
The venue has previous experience with controversial surfaces. Previously, a Test there featured a wicket with all the life of a a non-event.
That match was a grind, with limited drama and interminable tedium. This recent match and that drawn affair are diametrically opposed points of the spectrum – neither the standard, yet significance can be attached to them.
At this stage into the ongoing battle, it is the quick finishes that will be most remembered in the collective consciousness.
"Far from being the death of the format at all," said a past champion. "The people who have been lucky enough to see these short time have been treated to some real entertainment. An unusual spectacle."
Signs of Progress: Looking Ahead
In the preparation to this Test, the leader addressed the media like a man carrying the weight of the world on his back.
The team protected him, bringing back the joy to his persona.
Emerging talents performed with vital performances. These are baby steps, certainly not enough to ensure long-term success, but a starting point to build on.
At the very least, this triumph takes its place among other historic performances in similar circumstances.
As the supporters slipped away into a glorious Melbourne evening, the squad gathered on the outfield to commence their own enjoyment.
Celebrate the win, boys. It's well deserved.
