Within a glass case on the elevated floor of the MCG sits a vibrant pink outfit worn by the entertainer. His show in front of a massive crowd of spectators was considered a success.
It's possible you like the performer. You might think he is the greatest gift to music known to man. Alternatively, you may hold a balanced view, acknowledging that some tracks are belting while others are terrible.
The key argument is that enjoyment can take many forms. Preferences differ. There is no universal formula to craft music or even the longest format.
The Incomparable Variety of The Long Game
The traditional format boasts peerless complexity. One struggles to think of another sport where the playing is so reliant upon conditions.
The weather, the hour of play, the ball – the variables are numerous. Above all is the pitch.
If the long game is art, the wicket is the blank slate on which the athletes craft their legacy.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test
The recent Melbourne match between Australia and England was an abstract version of cricket, the established format taken to pieces and reconstructed in a bizarre shape.
It must be stated this is not a endorsement of the wicket which resulted in a victory and the second two-day Test of the contest.
Leaving excessive grass on the surface, causing 36 wickets being taken in less than a brief period, is not a fair contest between batter and bowler.
A Varied History: The Core of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a inferior show, one that should be marked with an asterisk as illegitimate, is wide of the mark.
Test cricket is a rich tapestry, a long history and still growing. Sometimes, as witnessed recently, the ball moves excessively for the seamers. Sometimes, it grips and turns on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is dead, other times it spits like a cobra.
The exciting finishes are particularly captivating because of the patience devoted elsewhere.
Adjustment: The True Test
Specific conditions are tolerated more easily than others.
The contention in Melbourne was that the contest was skewed excessively towards the fielding side. That the best players were hindered from demonstrating their skill.
Test cricket is about problem solving – interpreting the conditions and adapting effectively. The best individual contributions were made by recognized players. One side was less disciplined than the other, and thus lost.
Unbridled Joy: The Fan Perspective
Go and inform the devotees who have suffered 18 winless matches that this was not entertaining.
In a corner of the stadium, countless fans waved their flags and sang their songs, producing a party atmosphere in a stronghold of national pride.
There was optimism as the fielding side excelled, impetus when the top order scored quickly, and pure joy when the victory was achieved.
Contrasting Examples: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The Melbourne has previous experience with difficult wickets. Eight years ago, a Test there featured a pitch with the character of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That fixture was a marathon, with minimal action and endless boredom. This recent match and that previous match are extreme ends of the spectrum – one is not more ideal, yet significance can be found in them.
At this stage into the ongoing battle, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the memory.
"Far from being the end of the long game at all," commented a past champion. "Fans who have been lucky enough to see these two days have been given some real entertainment. A unique show."
Baby Steps: Building for the Future
In the build-up to this Test, the leader spoke like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his shoulders.
The squad delivered for him, restoring the positive demeanor to his persona.
Different players delivered with key contributions. These are small positives, certainly not enough to secure long-term success, but something to build on.
In the end, this MCG win is added to other notable performances in dead rubbers.
As the crowd slipped away into a glorious Melbourne evening, the players assembled on the turf to commence their own festivities.
Savour the moment, boys. You've earned this one.
