In a glass case on the elevated floor of the MCG sits a vibrant pink suit worn by the pop star. The show in front of a massive crowd of spectators was considered a success.
It's possible you like his music. You might think he is the finest offering to music in history. You might take a reasonable stance, acknowledging that some hits are belting while others are terrible.
The central idea is that entertainment can be delivered diversely. Preferences differ. There is no universal formula to craft music or even Test cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of Test Cricket
Test cricket boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the contest is so dictated by external factors.
The elements, the hour of play, the cricket ball – the variables are numerous. Most important is the pitch.
If Test cricket is an artistic pursuit, the pitch is the canvas on which the athletes craft their legacy.
An Abstract Contest: The Fourth Test
The recent Melbourne match between the old rivals was an abstract version of cricket, the great game dismantled and reassembled in abstract form.
This is not a justification of the wicket which resulted in a victory and the another sub-three-day finish of the Ashes battle.
Leaving 10mm of grass on the pitch, resulting in a cascade of wickets tumbling in less than two days, is not a fair contest between bat and ball.
A Rich Tapestry: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a inferior show, one that should be qualified as not a proper Test, is mistaken.
The format is a varied portfolio, 2,615 parts and counting. Sometimes, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball moves excessively for the seamers. In contrast, it spins sharply on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it explodes.
The close matches are even more exciting owing to the patience made during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The True Test
Some factors are tolerated more freely than others.
The debate in Melbourne was that the contest was weighted unfairly towards the attack. That the top batters were unable from showcasing their talents.
This level of cricket is about adapting to challenges – reading the situation and adapting accordingly. The two highest individual innings were made by recognized players. One team made more mistakes than the other, and thus were defeated.
Pure Elation: The Fan Perspective
Try telling the devotees who have suffered 18 winless matches that this was not entertaining.
In one section of the ground, countless fans celebrated and sang their songs, fostering a festive mood in a bastion of sport.
There was hope as the bowlers dominated, impetus when the top order scored quickly, and pure joy when the victory was achieved.
Extreme Ends: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The venue has previous experience with controversial surfaces. Previously, a game there featured a strip with all the life of a a non-event.
That contest was a grind, with few wickets and endless boredom. The two-day game and that slow Test are diametrically opposed points of the range – one is not more perfect, yet significance can be found in both.
At this stage into the ongoing battle, it is the two-day matches that will be most remembered in the memory.
"This isn't the death of Test cricket at all," said a former player. "The people who have been fortunate to see these short time have been treated to some genuine drama. An unusual spectacle."
Small Victories: Building for the Future
In the build-up to this Test, the captain spoke like a man carrying the weight of the world on his back.
The team responded for him, bringing back the positive demeanor to his countenance.
Emerging talents stepped up with crucial roles. These are small positives, certainly not enough to ensure long-term success, but something to develop from.
At the very least, this MCG win joins other historic performances in similar circumstances.
As the fans departed into a stunning sunset, the squad congregated on the outfield to commence their own celebrations.
Savour the moment, lads. You've earned this one.
