Within a glass case on the third floor of the Melbourne Cricket Ground is housed a vibrant pink outfit donned by the entertainer. The concert in front of a massive crowd of attendees was seen as a triumph.
You might not appreciate his music. You might think he is the greatest gift to music the world has ever seen. Or you could adopt a middle ground, admitting that some tracks are fantastic while others are terrible.
The point being is that enjoyment can manifest in countless ways. Preferences differ. There is no one way to create literature or even the longest format.
The Unrivalled Depth of Test Cricket
The traditional format boasts peerless complexity. It's difficult to think of another sport where the contest is so dictated by the environment.
The weather, the hour of play, the cricket ball – the variables are numerous. Crucially is the pitch.
If the long game is an artistic pursuit, the strip is the foundation on which the athletes paint their masterpiece.
An Abstract Contest: The MCG Match
The recent Melbourne match between Australia and England was an abstract version of cricket, the great game dismantled and reassembled in abstract form.
It must be stated this is not a endorsement of the wicket which resulted in a triumph and the another short match of the series.
Leaving 10mm of grass on the wicket, causing numerous dismissals falling in less than two days, is not a balanced duel between batter and bowler.
A Rich Tapestry: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is incorrect.
The format is a diverse canvas, 2,615 parts and counting. At times, as witnessed recently, the ball moves excessively for the fast men. In contrast, it grips and turns on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it spits like a cobra.
The exciting finishes are even more exciting due to the time committed during quieter periods.
Problem Solving: The Core Skill
Specific conditions are embraced more freely than others.
The contention in at the MCG was that the contest was tipped too far towards the attack. That the top batters were hindered from showcasing their talents.
The format is about finding solutions – interpreting the conditions and responding accordingly. The two highest individual innings were made by recognized batters. One team was less disciplined than the other, and thus lost.
Sheer Celebration: The Fan Perspective
Try telling the supporters who have experienced years of defeat that this wasn't compelling.
In one section of the stadium, thousands waved their flags and chanted, producing a carnival vibe in a heartland of Australian cricket.
There was belief as the attack dominated, momentum when batters scored quickly, and unconditional love when the win was secured.
Polar Opposites: The Variety of Test Matches
The Melbourne has previous experience with difficult wickets. Previously, a Test there featured a wicket with the character of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That contest was a slog, with few wickets and interminable tedium. The two-day game and that previous match are diametrically opposed points of the range – one is not more ideal, yet significance can be found in both.
Four Tests into the ongoing battle, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the memory.
"Far from being the death of the format at all," observed a former player. "The people who have been lucky enough to see these 48 hours have been given some real entertainment. An unusual spectacle."
Signs of Progress: A Glimmer of Hope
In the build-up to this Test, the captain spoke like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his mind.
The squad responded for him, bringing back the smile to his face.
Different players delivered with key contributions. These are incremental gains, certainly not enough to secure long-term stability, but a foundation to develop from.
In the end, this MCG win is added to other historic performances in similar circumstances.
As the supporters left into a glorious Melbourne evening, the players congregated on the field to commence their own festivities.
Enjoy the drink, men. It's well deserved.
