Within a showcase on the third floor of the MCG rests a neon pink outfit performed in by the pop star. His concert in front of a hundred thousand fans was considered a triumph.
You might not like his music. Maybe you feel he is the ultimate present to music in history. Or you could adopt a middle ground, conceding that some hits are fantastic while others are awful.
The central idea is that enjoyment can take many forms. Tastes vary. There is no universal formula to create art or even Test cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Test Format
The traditional format boasts unrivalled depth. It is hard to think of another sport where the playing is so dependent on conditions.
The weather, the time of day, the red ball – the variables are numerous. Most important is the playing surface.
If Test cricket is a form of art, the strip is the foundation on which the cricketers paint their masterpiece.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Melbourne Spectacle
The Boxing Day fixture between Australia and England was Test cricket cubism, the great game dismantled and stuck back together in abstract form.
It must be stated this is not a endorsement of the wicket which produced a victory and the second two-day Test of the Ashes battle.
Having a thick layer on the surface, resulting in 36 wickets tumbling in less than a brief period, is not a fair contest between batter and bowler.
A Varied History: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a diminished spectacle, one that should be marked with an asterisk as not a proper Test, is incorrect.
Test cricket is a varied portfolio, over two thousand matches and still growing. On occasion, as witnessed recently, the ball moves excessively for the fast men. In contrast, it turns square on a dust bowl. At other venues, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it spits like a cobra.
The thrillers are particularly captivating because of the investment made during quieter periods.
Adaptation: The True Test
Some factors are embraced more freely than others.
The argument in Melbourne was that the balance was tipped too far towards the bowlers. That the skilled individuals were prevented from showcasing their talents.
This level of cricket is about adapting to challenges – interpreting the conditions and adapting appropriately. The two highest individual contributions were made by recognized players. One line-up was less disciplined than the other, and thus ended up second best.
Sheer Celebration: The Fan Perspective
Try telling the devotees who have endured a long drought that this was not entertaining.
In one section of the ground, countless fans waved their flags and chanted, generating a carnival vibe in a stronghold of sport.
There was optimism as the attack dominated, advantage when the top order fought back, and unconditional love when the win was confirmed.
Extreme Ends: The Variety of Test Matches
The Melbourne has a history with pitch problems. Previously, a Test there featured a wicket with all the life of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That contest was a grind, with minimal action and interminable tedium. The two-day game and that previous match are polar opposites of the range – neither perfect, yet significance can be ascribed to both.
Deep into the series into the current series, it is the quick finishes that will live longest in the history books.
"It's not the demise of Test cricket at all," observed a veteran. "The people who have been lucky enough to see these two days have been given some real entertainment. An unusual spectacle."
Signs of Progress: A Glimmer of Hope
In the lead-in to this match, the skipper talked like a man carrying the weight of the world on his mind.
The players responded for him, restoring the smile to his face.
Different players performed with key contributions. These are baby steps, certainly not enough to ensure long-term success, but a foundation to use as a platform.
At the very least, this triumph joins other historic performances in dead rubbers.
As the supporters departed into a stunning sunset, the team gathered on the field to start their own festivities.
Enjoy the drink, boys. You've earned this one.
