In a glass case on the elevated floor of the Melbourne Cricket Ground is housed a electric pink suit performed in by the pop star. The concert in front of 100,024 fans was seen as a major hit.
Perhaps you don't enjoy his music. Perhaps you believe he is the greatest gift to music known to man. Alternatively, you may hold a balanced view, conceding that some hits are excellent while others are awful.
The point being is that enjoyment can be delivered diversely. You like what you like. There is no universal formula to produce literature or even the longest format.
The Peerless Spectrum of The Test Format
Test cricket boasts peerless complexity. One struggles to think of another sport where the outcome is so dictated by conditions.
The climate, the time of day, the cricket ball – the list is endless. Most important is the playing surface.
If the format is art, the strip is the canvas on which the cricketers paint their masterpiece.
A Test of Cubism: The Fourth Test
The recent Melbourne match between the two sides was an abstract version of cricket, the established format broken apart and reassembled in a bizarre shape.
It must be stated this is not a justification of the wicket which resulted in a win and the another sub-three-day finish of the contest.
Leaving 10mm of grass on the wicket, resulting in numerous dismissals being taken in less than a brief period, is not a fair contest between batter and bowler.
A Diverse Legacy: The Essence of Test Cricket
But any idea this was a inferior show, one that should be footnoted as illegitimate, is mistaken.
The format is a rich tapestry, 2,615 parts and still growing. Sometimes, like in Melbourne, the ball does all sorts for the seamers. Other times, it spins sharply on a dry surface. Sometimes, the pitch is flat as a pancake, other times it explodes.
The close matches are all the more thrilling because of the time committed in other matches.
Adjustment: The True Test
Certain variables are embraced more freely than others.
The debate in at the MCG was that the equilibrium was skewed excessively towards the attack. That the top batters were hindered from showcasing their talents.
Test cricket is about adapting to challenges – assessing the conditions and adapting effectively. The top two individual contributions were made by recognized stars. One side was less disciplined than the other, and thus lost.
Pure Elation: The Supporters' View
Attempt to convince the fans who have endured 18 winless matches that this wasn't compelling.
In one section of the MCG, a sea of people waved their flags and sang their songs, generating a carnival vibe in a stronghold of national pride.
There was optimism as the bowlers dominated, impetus when players responded, and rapturous celebration when the result was confirmed.
Contrasting Examples: The Variety of Test Matches
The venue has a history with controversial surfaces. Eight years ago, a game there featured a strip with all the life of a pulled Christmas cracker.
That fixture was a slog, with minimal action and endless boredom. The two-day game and that drawn affair are polar opposites of the range – one is not more ideal, yet value can be attached to both.
Deep into the series into the Ashes contest, it is the two-day matches that will live longest in the history books.
"This isn't the end of the long game at all," commented a veteran. "Spectators who have been lucky enough to see these 48 hours have been given some genuine drama. An unusual spectacle."
Small Victories: A Glimmer of Hope
In the preparation to this Test, the captain addressed the media like a man carrying the heavy burden on his shoulders.
The squad protected him, restoring the smile to his face.
Different players stepped up with vital performances. These are baby steps, hardly enough to secure long-term stability, but a starting point to develop from.
In the end, this Melbourne victory is added to other memorable performances in similar circumstances.
As the crowd slipped away into a beautiful night, the players gathered on the outfield to commence their own enjoyment.
Enjoy the drink, boys. You've earned this one.
