Within a display cabinet on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium is housed a electric pink outfit performed in by the pop star. His show in front of a hundred thousand spectators was hailed as a major hit.
You might not enjoy his music. Perhaps you believe he is the finest offering to music known to man. Or you could adopt a middle ground, conceding that some tracks are excellent while others are awful.
The point being is that enjoyment can be delivered diversely. Preferences differ. There is not a single method to create music or even Test cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of Test Cricket
The five-day game boasts peerless complexity. It is hard to think of another sport where the playing is so dependent on conditions.
The weather, the hour of play, the red ball – the variables are numerous. Crucially 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 Melbourne Spectacle
The recent Melbourne match between the two sides was an abstract version of cricket, the traditional sport broken apart and reconstructed in abstract form.
Let's be clear, this isn't a endorsement of the pitch which resulted in a victory and the another short match of the series.
Having excessive grass on the surface, leading to numerous dismissals tumbling in less than a brief period, is not an even battle between bat and ball.
A Varied History: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a lesser event, one that should be footnoted as not a proper Test, is mistaken.
Test cricket is a rich tapestry, a long history and still growing. On occasion, like in Melbourne, the cricket ball moves excessively for the pace bowlers. In contrast, it grips and turns on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is unresponsive, other times it spits like a cobra.
The close matches are particularly captivating due to the time made during quieter periods.
Adaptation: The Real Challenge
Specific conditions are embraced more easily than others.
The debate in at the MCG was that the contest was skewed excessively towards the bowlers. That the skilled individuals were prevented from showcasing their talents.
Test cricket is about adapting to challenges – reading the wicket and responding appropriately. The two highest individual contributions were made by acknowledged stars. One team committed more errors than the other, and thus lost.
Sheer Celebration: The Supporters' View
Go and inform the fans who have endured years of defeat that this was not entertaining.
In one section of the MCG, thousands waved their flags and chanted, generating a party atmosphere in a stronghold of sport.
There was hope as the fielding side dominated, momentum when players scored quickly, and rapturous celebration when the victory was confirmed.
Contrasting Examples: The Variety of Test Matches
The Melbourne has form with difficult wickets. Eight years ago, a Test there featured a wicket with all the life of a a damp squib.
That fixture was a grind, with minimal action and slow play. This recent match and that previous match are extreme ends of the range – neither the standard, yet significance can be attached to both.
At this stage into the ongoing battle, it is the shortest games that will be most remembered in the collective consciousness.
"This isn't the end of Test cricket at all," said a former player. "Spectators who have been lucky enough to see these 48 hours have been given some real entertainment. A unique show."
Baby Steps: Building for the Future
In the build-up to this match, the skipper talked like a man carrying the heavy burden on his shoulders.
The squad protected him, restoring the joy to his face.
New faces stepped up with crucial roles. These are baby steps, hardly enough to secure long-term success, but a foundation to build on.
At the very least, this Melbourne victory joins other notable performances in similar circumstances.
As the crowd slipped away into a beautiful night, the squad gathered on the field to commence their own celebrations.
Enjoy the drink, boys. This victory was hard-fought.
