In a showcase on the third floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium rests a neon pink outfit worn by the entertainer. His concert in front of a massive crowd of spectators was considered a triumph.
It's possible you appreciate the performer. You might think he is the ultimate present to music the world has ever seen. Or you could adopt a balanced view, acknowledging that some hits are belting while others are terrible.
The point being is that amusement can manifest in countless ways. Tastes vary. There is not a single method to create music or even Test cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of Test Cricket
The traditional format boasts peerless complexity. It is hard to think of another sport where the playing is so dictated by conditions.
The weather, the hour of play, the cricket ball – the list is endless. Above all is the wicket.
If Test cricket is a form of art, the pitch is the canvas on which the players create their art.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test
The fourth Ashes Test between the two sides was an abstract version of cricket, the traditional sport broken apart and stuck back together in a bizarre shape.
It must be stated this is not a justification of the wicket which produced a victory and the another short match of the series.
Having 10mm of grass on the wicket, causing a cascade of wickets being taken in less than two days, is not an even battle between bat and ball.
A Diverse Legacy: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a lesser event, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is wide of the mark.
Test cricket is a varied portfolio, over two thousand matches and ongoing. On occasion, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball moves excessively for the fast men. Other times, it turns square on a spinning track. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.
The exciting finishes are even more exciting because of the patience made in other matches.
Problem Solving: The True Test
Specific conditions are tolerated more readily than others.
The debate in at the MCG was that the equilibrium was skewed excessively towards the bowlers. That the skilled individuals were hindered from showcasing their talents.
The format is about adapting to challenges – assessing the situation and adjusting effectively. The two highest individual contributions were made by world-class batters. One line-up was less disciplined than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Sheer Celebration: The Supporters' View
Attempt to convince the devotees who have suffered years of defeat that this lacked spectacle.
Among the crowd of the ground, a sea of people made noise and sang their songs, generating a festive mood in a bastion of national pride.
There was optimism as the attack dominated, momentum when players responded, and pure joy when the win was confirmed.
Extreme Ends: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The MCG has a history with pitch problems. Eight years ago, a match there featured a pitch with the excitement of a a non-event.
That fixture was a marathon, with limited drama and slow play. The two-day game and that slow Test are polar opposites of the scale – neither perfect, yet value can be found in both.
Deep into the series into the Ashes contest, it is the quick finishes that will be most remembered in the history books.
"This isn't the death of Test cricket at all," commented a veteran. "The people who have been fortunate to see these 48 hours have been given some genuine drama. A unique show."
Signs of Progress: A Glimmer of Hope
In the preparation to this match, the leader addressed the media like a man carrying the heavy burden on his back.
The squad delivered for him, bringing back the joy to his countenance.
Emerging talents performed with key contributions. These are incremental gains, hardly enough to ensure long-term futures, but a starting point to use as a platform.
At the very least, this triumph takes its place among other memorable performances in meaningless games.
As the crowd left into a stunning sunset, the team gathered on the outfield to start their own celebrations.
Savour the moment, men. This victory was hard-fought.
