Within a display cabinet on the third floor of the MCG rests a neon pink outfit performed in by the pop star. The performance in front of 100,024 attendees was considered a triumph.
Perhaps you don't enjoy the performer. You might think he is the ultimate present to music in history. You might take a reasonable stance, conceding that some songs are belting while others are terrible.
The key argument is that amusement can manifest in countless ways. Preferences differ. There is no one way to produce art or even Test cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of Test Cricket
The five-day game boasts unrivalled depth. One struggles to think of another sport where the playing is so dictated by conditions.
The elements, the session, the red ball – the factors are countless. Above all is the pitch.
If Test cricket is art, the pitch is the foundation on which the cricketers create their art.
An Abstract Contest: The Fourth Test
The Boxing Day fixture between Australia and England was the game deconstructed, the established format broken apart and reconstructed in an unusual manner.
It must be stated this is not a defence of the pitch which produced a victory and the second two-day Test of the series.
Having excessive grass on the surface, leading to a cascade of wickets falling in less than six sessions, is not an even battle between offense and defense.
A Varied History: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be qualified as not a proper Test, is wide of the mark.
The format is a rich tapestry, 2,615 parts and counting. On occasion, as witnessed recently, the ball moves excessively for the fast men. Other times, it grips and turns on a spinning track. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it bounces unevenly.
The exciting finishes are particularly captivating because of the investment committed elsewhere.
Adaptation: The True Test
Specific conditions are tolerated more easily than others.
The contention in during the match was that the contest was tipped too far towards the bowlers. That the top batters were prevented from showcasing their talents.
Test cricket is about problem solving – assessing the wicket and adapting effectively. The two highest individual contributions were made by world-class stars. One line-up made more mistakes than the other, and thus lost.
Pure Elation: The Supporters' View
Attempt to convince the fans who have suffered a long drought that this wasn't compelling.
In a corner of the MCG, countless fans celebrated and created an atmosphere, fostering a party atmosphere in a bastion of national pride.
There was hope as the attack excelled, impetus when the top order responded, and rapturous celebration when the win was secured.
Contrasting Examples: The Variety of Test Matches
The venue has form with pitch problems. Eight years ago, a game there featured a wicket with all the life of a a damp squib.
That contest was a marathon, with few wickets and interminable tedium. The latest encounter and that slow Test are polar opposites of the scale – neither the standard, yet historical weight can be found in both.
At this stage into the Ashes contest, it is the shortest games that will remain iconic in the memory.
"Far from being the end of the format at all," commented a veteran. "Fans who have been privileged to see these two days have been treated to some real entertainment. A unique show."
Small Victories: Looking Ahead
In the lead-in to this match, the leader spoke like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his back.
The players protected him, restoring the joy to his persona.
New faces performed with crucial roles. These are baby steps, hardly enough to secure long-term stability, but a foundation to use as a platform.
At the very least, this MCG win takes its place among other historic performances in dead rubbers.
As the crowd left into a stunning sunset, the team congregated on the field to commence their own festivities.
Celebrate the win, men. This victory was hard-fought.
