In a glass case on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium rests a vibrant pink outfit performed in by the entertainer. The show in front of a massive crowd of attendees was seen as a success.
You might not like his music. You might think he is the greatest gift to music in history. Alternatively, you may hold a reasonable stance, admitting that some songs are excellent while others are terrible.
The key argument is that amusement can manifest in countless ways. You like what you like. There is not a single method to create music or even five-day cricket.
The Incomparable Variety of Test Cricket
Test cricket boasts unrivalled depth. It's difficult to think of another sport where the contest is so dictated by the environment.
The weather, the hour of play, the ball – the variables are numerous. Above all is the pitch.
If the format is a form of art, the wicket is the blank slate on which the players craft their legacy.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Melbourne Spectacle
The fourth Ashes Test between the old rivals was Test cricket cubism, the established format dismantled and reassembled in abstract form.
It must be stated this is not a defence of the pitch which yielded a victory and the second two-day Test of the Ashes battle.
Having 10mm of grass on the surface, resulting in 36 wickets falling in less than six sessions, is not a fair contest between bat and ball.
A Rich Tapestry: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a inferior show, one that should be marked with an asterisk as not a proper Test, is mistaken.
Test cricket is a varied portfolio, over two thousand matches and ongoing. Sometimes, as witnessed recently, the cricket ball does all sorts for the pace bowlers. Sometimes, it turns square on a dry surface. At other venues, the pitch is dead, other times it spits like a cobra.
The thrillers are particularly captivating because of the time committed during quieter periods.
Adaptation: The True Test
Some factors are embraced more freely than others.
The contention in Melbourne was that the balance was skewed excessively towards the bowlers. That the top batters were prevented from demonstrating their skill.
The format is about finding solutions – assessing the wicket and responding accordingly. The best individual contributions were made by acknowledged batters. One side was less disciplined than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Pure Elation: The Supporters' View
Attempt to convince the devotees who have suffered 18 winless matches that this lacked spectacle.
Among the crowd of the ground, thousands waved their flags and created an atmosphere, fostering a party atmosphere in a bastion of sport.
There was optimism as the bowlers surged, advantage when the top order scored quickly, and rapturous celebration when the win was confirmed.
Contrasting Examples: The Range of Test Matches
The MCG has previous experience with difficult wickets. Eight years ago, a match there featured a strip with all the life of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That fixture was a slog, with few wickets and interminable tedium. This recent match and that previous match are extreme ends of the spectrum – one is not more the standard, yet significance can be attached to them.
At this stage into the ongoing battle, it is the two-day matches that will remain iconic in the memory.
"Far from being the end of the long game at all," observed a veteran. "The people who have been fortunate to see these 48 hours have been experienced some genuine drama. A unique show."
Small Victories: A Glimmer of Hope
In the preparation to this match, the skipper addressed the media like a man carrying the enormous pressure on his shoulders.
The team delivered for him, restoring the positive demeanor to his countenance.
New faces stepped up with vital performances. These are incremental gains, certainly not enough to secure long-term stability, but a starting point to build on.
At the very least, this triumph is added to other memorable performances in meaningless games.
As the crowd left into a glorious Melbourne evening, the players congregated on the field to begin their own festivities.
Celebrate the win, boys. You've earned this one.
