Displayed inside a showcase on the third floor of the iconic Melbourne stadium rests a vibrant pink ensemble donned by the pop star. The performance in front of a massive crowd of attendees was hailed as a triumph.
It's possible you like the performer. You might think he is the finest offering to music in history. Or you could adopt a reasonable stance, admitting that some songs are belting while others are poor.
The key argument is that enjoyment can be delivered diversely. You like what you like. There is no universal formula to craft literature or even the longest format.
The Incomparable Variety of The Long Game
The five-day game boasts incomparable variety. One struggles to think of another sport where the contest is so reliant upon conditions.
The weather, the hour of play, the red ball – the variables are numerous. Above all is the playing surface.
If the long game is an artistic pursuit, the wicket is the foundation on which the cricketers paint their masterpiece.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Melbourne Spectacle
The fourth Ashes Test between the two sides was Test cricket cubism, the traditional sport broken apart and reassembled in an unusual manner.
Let's be clear, this isn't a endorsement of the wicket which resulted in a triumph and the another sub-three-day finish of the Ashes battle.
Having a thick layer on the pitch, causing a cascade of wickets tumbling in less than two days, is not a fair contest between batter and bowler.
A Rich Tapestry: The Nature of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a lesser event, one that should be marked with an asterisk as not a proper Test, is mistaken.
Test cricket is a varied portfolio, a long history and ongoing. On occasion, as seen at the MCG, the ball behaves unpredictably for the fast men. Other times, it spins sharply on a dust bowl. At other venues, the pitch is dead, other times it spits like a cobra.
The exciting finishes are even more exciting owing to the investment made in other matches.
Adjustment: The Core Skill
Specific conditions are accepted more easily than others.
The debate in Melbourne was that the balance was skewed excessively towards the bowlers. That the skilled individuals were prevented from showcasing their talents.
This level of cricket is about problem solving – assessing the situation and adapting effectively. The best individual contributions were made by acknowledged stars. One side was less disciplined than the other, and thus were defeated.
Sheer Celebration: The Fan Perspective
Attempt to convince the fans who have endured a long drought that this was not entertaining.
In a corner of the MCG, a sea of people celebrated and sang their songs, producing a festive mood in a bastion of national pride.
There was belief as the bowlers excelled, impetus when players responded, and unconditional love when the victory was confirmed.
Contrasting Examples: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The MCG has previous experience with controversial surfaces. Previously, a game there featured a pitch with the character of a a damp squib.
That match was a grind, with few wickets and slow play. This recent match and that previous match are extreme ends of the spectrum – both are not perfect, yet value can be attached to each.
Deep into the series into the current series, it is the shortest games that will be most remembered in the memory.
"This isn't the end of the format at all," said a past champion. "Spectators who have been lucky enough to see these short time have been treated to some genuine drama. A unique show."
Signs of Progress: Looking Ahead
In the build-up to this Test, the leader addressed the media like a man carrying the weight of the world on his back.
The team protected him, restoring the smile to his countenance.
New faces delivered with vital performances. These are small positives, not nearly enough to secure long-term futures, but a starting point to use as a platform.
At the very least, this MCG win joins other historic performances in meaningless games.
As the supporters left into a beautiful night, the squad assembled on the turf to start their own enjoyment.
Celebrate the win, men. You've earned this one.
