In a glass case on the elevated floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium rests a neon pink suit donned by the entertainer. His performance in front of 100,024 fans was hailed as a success.
You might not like his music. Perhaps you believe he is the ultimate present to music the world has ever seen. Or you could adopt a balanced view, acknowledging that some tracks are excellent while others are awful.
The point being is that amusement can be delivered diversely. You like what you like. There is no one way to create art or even five-day cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of Test Cricket
Test cricket boasts peerless complexity. It's difficult to think of another sport where the contest is so reliant upon conditions.
The weather, the time of day, the cricket ball – the factors are countless. Most important is the wicket.
If the long game is a form of art, the strip is the blank slate on which the players paint their masterpiece.
A Test of Cubism: The MCG Match
The Boxing Day fixture between the old rivals was an abstract version of cricket, the established format taken to pieces and stuck back together in abstract form.
It must be stated this is not a justification of the wicket which yielded a win and the another sub-three-day finish of the series.
Leaving excessive grass on the wicket, causing numerous dismissals being taken in less than six sessions, is not a balanced duel between offense and defense.
A Varied History: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a inferior show, one that should be marked with an asterisk as not a proper Test, is wide of the mark.
Test cricket is a rich tapestry, 2,615 parts and ongoing. At times, as seen at the MCG, the ball moves excessively for the seamers. Other times, it turns square on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is dead, other times it bounces unevenly.
The close matches are particularly captivating because of the investment devoted elsewhere.
Problem Solving: The Core Skill
Specific conditions are accepted more freely than others.
The debate in Melbourne was that the equilibrium was tipped too far towards the bowlers. That the skilled individuals were unable from demonstrating their skill.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – interpreting the situation and adjusting appropriately. The two highest individual contributions were made by recognized batters. One line-up was less disciplined than the other, and thus lost.
Unbridled Joy: The Fan Perspective
Go and inform the devotees who have suffered years of defeat that this lacked spectacle.
In a corner of the stadium, a sea of people waved their flags and created an atmosphere, producing a carnival vibe in a bastion of Australian cricket.
There was belief as the fielding side dominated, momentum when the top order scored quickly, and rapturous celebration when the victory was achieved.
Contrasting Examples: The Range of Test Matches
The MCG has previous experience with controversial surfaces. Eight years ago, a game there featured a pitch with the character of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That fixture was a slog, with limited drama and interminable tedium. The latest encounter and that drawn affair are polar opposites of the range – both are not perfect, yet historical weight can be found in each.
At this stage into the ongoing battle, it is the quick finishes that will remain iconic in the memory.
"This isn't the death of the long game at all," observed a former player. "The people who have been privileged to see these short time have been treated to some fantastic sport. Different entertainment."
Baby Steps: Looking Ahead
In the preparation to this match, the skipper talked like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his mind.
The team delivered for him, restoring the smile to his face.
Different players stepped up with vital performances. These are incremental gains, hardly enough to ensure long-term success, but something to use as a platform.
At the very least, this triumph takes its place among other memorable performances in meaningless games.
As the fans left into a beautiful night, the players gathered on the outfield to begin their own enjoyment.
Enjoy the drink, boys. This victory was hard-fought.
