In a showcase on the upper level of the iconic Melbourne stadium rests a neon pink suit donned by the pop star. The show in front of a hundred thousand attendees was hailed as a success.
You might not enjoy the performer. Perhaps you believe he is the greatest gift to music in history. You might take a balanced view, acknowledging that some tracks are belting while others are awful.
The point being is that amusement can manifest in countless ways. You like what you like. There is no universal formula to produce art or even the longest format.
The Peerless Spectrum of Test Cricket
The traditional format boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the outcome is so dictated by the environment.
The climate, the session, the ball – the factors are countless. Above all is the playing surface.
If the format is an artistic pursuit, the strip is the foundation on which the cricketers paint their masterpiece.
A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test
The recent Melbourne match between the two sides was the game deconstructed, the great game dismantled and stuck back together in abstract form.
Let's be clear, this isn't a justification of the surface which produced a victory and the second two-day Test of the series.
Leaving 10mm of grass on the surface, resulting in numerous dismissals falling in less than two days, is not a fair contest between batter and bowler.
A Diverse Legacy: The Core of Test Cricket
But any notion this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be footnoted as illegitimate, is wide of the mark.
The long game is a rich tapestry, a long history and still growing. On occasion, like in Melbourne, the ball behaves unpredictably for the fast men. Other times, it spins sharply on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is dead, other times it bounces unevenly.
The close matches are particularly captivating due to the patience devoted during quieter periods.
Adaptation: The True Test
Certain variables are embraced more easily than others.
The debate in Melbourne was that the balance was tipped too far towards the fielding side. That the best players were hindered from demonstrating their skill.
Test cricket is about problem solving – interpreting the conditions and responding effectively. The two highest individual scores were made by acknowledged batters. One team made more mistakes than the other, and thus were defeated.
Sheer Celebration: For Those Who Waited
Go and inform the supporters who have endured 18 winless matches that this wasn't compelling.
In a corner of the ground, thousands celebrated and chanted, fostering a festive mood in a heartland of national pride.
There was optimism as the fielding side dominated, advantage when batters fought back, and rapturous celebration when the result was confirmed.
Polar Opposites: The Spectrum of Test Matches
The Melbourne has form with controversial surfaces. Previously, a game there featured a pitch with the character of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That match was a slog, with minimal action and interminable tedium. This recent match and that slow Test are extreme ends of the range – neither the standard, yet value can be found in each.
Deep into the series into the ongoing battle, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the history books.
"Far from being the end of the long game at all," said a past champion. "Fans who have been privileged to see these two days have been experienced some real entertainment. An unusual spectacle."
Signs of Progress: A Glimmer of Hope
In the build-up to this Test, the leader addressed the media like a man carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
The players protected him, restoring the smile to his countenance.
Different players stepped up with key contributions. These are small positives, certainly not enough to guarantee long-term success, but a starting point to develop from.
Ultimately, this triumph joins other historic performances in dead rubbers.
As the fans departed into a glorious Melbourne evening, the players gathered on the field to begin their own enjoyment.
Enjoy the drink, men. You've earned this one.
