In a showcase on the third floor of the Melbourne Cricket Ground rests a vibrant pink outfit donned by the pop star. The show in front of a hundred thousand attendees was hailed as a triumph.
Perhaps you don't appreciate his music. Perhaps you believe he is the ultimate present to music known to man. Alternatively, you may hold a reasonable stance, acknowledging that some hits are fantastic while others are poor.
The key argument is that enjoyment can be delivered diversely. You like what you like. There is no one way to craft art or even Test cricket.
The Unrivalled Depth of The Long Game
The five-day game boasts peerless complexity. It is hard to think of another sport where the contest is so dictated by conditions.
The elements, the session, the cricket ball – the factors are countless. Crucially is the pitch.
If the format is art, the strip is the canvas on which the cricketers craft their legacy.
A Broken-Down Battle: The Fourth Test
The fourth Ashes Test between the old rivals was the game deconstructed, the traditional sport dismantled and reconstructed in abstract form.
This is not a endorsement of the surface which yielded a victory and the another sub-three-day finish of the series.
Having a thick layer on the wicket, leading to a cascade of wickets falling in less than two days, is not a balanced duel between batter and bowler.
A Rich Tapestry: The Essence 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 incorrect.
The format is a varied portfolio, over two thousand matches and ongoing. Sometimes, as seen at the MCG, the cricket ball moves excessively for the seamers. Other times, it spins sharply on a spinning track. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it explodes.
The thrillers are even more exciting owing to the patience devoted during quieter periods.
Adjustment: The True Test
Some factors are embraced more easily than others.
The contention in at the MCG was that the equilibrium was weighted unfairly towards the fielding side. That the best players were prevented from playing their natural game.
The format is about problem solving – assessing the conditions and adapting accordingly. The two highest individual contributions were made by recognized batters. One team made more mistakes than the other, and thus lost.
Sheer Celebration: The Supporters' View
Go and inform the fans who have suffered a long drought that this wasn't compelling.
Among the crowd of the MCG, a sea of people waved their flags and chanted, fostering a carnival vibe in a stronghold of sport.
There was belief as the fielding side dominated, impetus when batters fought back, and rapturous celebration when the win was secured.
Extreme Ends: The Range of Test Matches
The venue has form with difficult wickets. In the past, a game there featured a strip with all the life of a a damp squib.
That contest was a grind, with minimal action and interminable tedium. This recent match and that previous match are polar opposites of the spectrum – one is not more ideal, yet historical weight can be ascribed to them.
At this stage into the ongoing battle, it is the two-day matches that will live longest in the collective consciousness.
"It's not the death of the long game at all," commented a former player. "The people who have been lucky enough to see these two days have been treated to some real entertainment. Different entertainment."
Baby Steps: A Glimmer of Hope
In the build-up to this match, the captain spoke like a man carrying the heavy burden on his shoulders.
The players responded for him, restoring the joy to his persona.
Different players stepped up with crucial roles. These are baby steps, certainly not enough to guarantee long-term stability, but a foundation to use as a platform.
Ultimately, this MCG win is added to other notable performances in meaningless games.
As the fans departed into a stunning sunset, the team assembled on the outfield to begin their own enjoyment.
Savour the moment, lads. You've earned this one.
