Displayed inside a showcase on the third floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium sits a neon pink outfit donned by the pop star. His show in front of a massive crowd of attendees was seen as a major hit.
You might not enjoy his music. You might think he is the ultimate present to music known to man. Or you could adopt a middle ground, admitting that some songs are fantastic while others are terrible.
The point being is that entertainment can manifest in countless ways. Preferences differ. There is no universal formula to produce literature or even the longest format.
The Peerless Spectrum of Test Cricket
The five-day game boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the outcome is so reliant upon conditions.
The climate, the hour of play, the red ball – the list is endless. Crucially is the pitch.
If Test cricket is a form of art, the pitch is the foundation on which the athletes paint their masterpiece.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test
The Boxing Day fixture between the two sides was Test cricket cubism, the established format broken apart and reassembled in abstract form.
It must be stated this is not a justification of the wicket which produced a triumph and the another sub-three-day finish of the series.
Allowing 10mm of grass on the wicket, leading to 36 wickets being taken in less than two days, is not a balanced duel between bat and ball.
A Varied History: The Core of Test Cricket
But any suggestion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be marked with an asterisk as not a proper Test, is incorrect.
The format is a diverse canvas, over two thousand matches and counting. On occasion, as seen at the MCG, the cricket ball moves excessively for the fast men. In contrast, it turns square on a spinning track. Sometimes, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it explodes.
The thrillers are even more exciting because of the time committed in other matches.
Adjustment: The Core Skill
Specific conditions are embraced more easily than others.
The debate in at the MCG was that the balance was tipped too far towards the attack. That the top batters were unable from showcasing their talents.
Test cricket is about finding solutions – assessing the situation and adapting accordingly. The top two individual innings were made by world-class batters. One team was less disciplined than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Pure Elation: For Those Who Waited
Attempt to convince the devotees who have endured 18 winless matches that this lacked spectacle.
Among the crowd of the MCG, countless fans waved their flags and created an atmosphere, producing a festive mood in a bastion of national pride.
There was belief as the fielding side dominated, advantage when players fought back, and unconditional love when the victory was confirmed.
Contrasting Examples: The Range of Test Matches
The venue has previous experience with controversial surfaces. Previously, a Test there featured a pitch with the character of a a non-event.
That contest was a grind, with minimal action and interminable tedium. The latest encounter and that drawn affair are polar opposites of the range – neither perfect, yet historical weight can be found in each.
Four Tests into the ongoing battle, it is the two-day matches that will be most remembered in the history books.
"This isn't the demise of the long game at all," commented a veteran. "The people who have been privileged to see these 48 hours have been treated to some real entertainment. An unusual spectacle."
Signs of Progress: A Glimmer of Hope
In the preparation to this Test, the captain addressed the media like a man carrying the heavy burden on his mind.
The team responded for him, restoring the positive demeanor to his countenance.
Emerging talents stepped up with key contributions. These are baby steps, certainly not enough to ensure long-term stability, but a foundation to develop from.
At the very least, this Melbourne victory joins other memorable performances in similar circumstances.
As the fans departed into a stunning sunset, the players assembled on the field to start their own celebrations.
Savour the moment, lads. You've earned this one.
